Re: Don't Call It "Algebra"; Call It Something Warm And Fuzzy

In article
<2b9a7bdc-1977-43de-b93b-7afb3a978758@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
charles q  <q.charles132@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>On Jul 5, 6:04=A0am, Rela...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (Way Back Jack) wrote:

			.................

>Thats about the most rediculous thing that i have ever heard.I do not
>see how calling algebra,algebra could posibly scare anybody at all.I
>guess then calling english and history is scaring students also. LOL

English and history are "ordinary" English words, although
most of what is taught in English is not about the English
language but is "literature".  These subjects also scare 
students.  

The subject of algebra started out (barely) with Diophantus,
but was somewhat developed by the Muslims in the Middle Ages.
There were two terms used:  al-muqaballah (sp?), the process
of collecting terms, and al-jabr, obtaining the answer.

Algebra has now advanced beyond this, starting with European
developments in the 16th century, but the term remains.  See
my other posting in this group for the ideas (but not the
details) expressed simply; it should be started very early.
The details and practice can come later, and are far more likely
to be understood, and as something not mysterious.
-- 
This address is for information only.  I do not claim that these views
are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University.
Herman Rubin, Department of Statistics, Purdue University
hrubin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
         Phone: (765)494-6054   FAX: (765)494-0558