Algebra - The "Math Bridge"
MATHS 460 - BALL STATE UNIVERSITY - SUMMER 2000

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WELCOME TO CLASS!

 

For five weeks this past summer, a group of nine people, consisting of undergraduate students, graduate students, and a teacher, or facilitator sat around a table discussing a variety of topics in the amazing science of mathematics.  From number theory to non-Euclidean geometry, we talked, debated, and discussed some major events and highlights throughout the history of mathematics that enlightened others to imagine and design new branches of mathematics, complete with new theories, concepts, and applications for years to come. 

 

Finding a Connection

During the duration of the class, we realized our discussions centralized around a common notion, or idea.  Every area of mathematics we looked at involved some of the properties and characteristics of algebra.  Algebra is the study of solving for unknown quantities.  Even though algebraic concepts were invented after the time of Euclid and Ptolemy, the major founders of geometry and trigonometry, respectively, we can now use algebra to derive the same formulas and conclusions that Euclid, Ptolemy, and other earlier mathematicians documented centuries before.

In this web site, we try to present algebra as a problem solving strategy that resembles a "reverse-engineering" approach.  In other words, algebra is a process of working backwards from assumed answers to known starting points.  Hence, the essence of algebra is not notation--it is problem solving. History helps bridge the mathematics of yesterday to the mathematics of today.

 

Using the Site

The links at the left contain  some of our groups findings.  We hope you enjoy looking at mathematics from this different perspective with algebra as the central theme.  Teachers may find some of the information on the site useful in their classroom, such as some of the background behind some of our most common math practices and formulas students learn in classrooms today.  Each area is different from the others and focuses on a major area of mathematics.  Clicking on the UP button will always take you to the main page of each area of the site.  The search link takes you to a page where you can find resources by searching our site.  The last link contains information about our class and college. We hope you enjoy learning about mathematics through Algebra - the math bridge!

 

ENJOY THE SITE AND KEEP LEARNING!

 

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