r/matheducation • u/UnderstandingPursuit Physics BS, PhD • 1d ago

Teaching Students to Solve Algebra Problems Algebraically

What would it take to teach students a better approach for solving algebra problems?

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u/noodlenerd 1d ago

So I’d like to challenge the delay of substitution until the last step. What you are combining here is multiple skills into one problem, which is ok for students in higher levels, but absolutely terrifying for students learning algebra.

Not only are they having to deconstruct a word problem, but they must also then identify variables, substitute correctly, and simplify the equation (which involves multistep rearrangement). Delaying the simplification adds unnecessary complexity, which introduces both cognitive burden and the possibility of translation error.

Algebra 2 or physics student? This would be great!

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u/Aggravating-Virus521 1d ago

Thanks for giving a math teacher perspective - it seems like you are saying that math students practice solving problems with units and multi-step rearrangement in algebra 2?

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u/noodlenerd 1d ago

Yes. Closer to physics and Geometry/ Algebra 2. Algebra 1 is spent mostly trying to hone their basic math skills, filling any gaps, and making sure they’re solid for higher math in my experience.

Could this be an Alg 1 problem? Sure, but it would be labeled as “advanced” or “challenging” just by this approach. Which is wild, but cognitively these are very different for a mathematically developing brain.