Why is algebra so hard? | Emmanuel Schanzer | TEDxBeaconStreet

Emmanual Schanzer thought that the way algebra was taught made no sense, and decided to do something about it. He turned a discipline that frustrates many students into a skill they could immediately apply. Watch his talk to learn how.
Dr. Emmanuel Schanzer is a CS-expat, having spent several years as a program manager and developer before becoming a high school teacher and middle school academic coach. He is the founder and creator of Bootstrap, which he first designed as a curriculum for his own students in Boston. He has long been involved in connecting educators and technology, connecting parties at the Computer Science Teachers Association, Google, Microsoft, Facebook and at universities across the country. He holds degrees in computer science and curriculum development, and is a Doctor of Education with a research focus on using programming to teach algebra.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@sauron6064]

This is me when learning algebra Don’t understand Slowly learn Understand Forget

[@adamparker6132]

It's better to practice, practice, practice!

[@Guttedbonez]

Algebra is easy!

[@Guttedbonez]

Watch Mathantics he teaches so good I learned algebra from him in a week

[@kat4500]

me too but i skip the “understand” step

[@cryoq1]

same, but i skip the Don't understand and slowly learn. For me in math, im a really fast learner and most of the time I get it in the first day, sometimes the next. And btw Im in 9th grade but I did algebra in 8th grade so after christmas, I need 2 do geometry :(

[@slicecuts21]

Watching this instead of doing my math homework

[@0123vegeta]

bet u were watching some math explaining video on utube since u did'nt understand what happened in class, so u ended up here by recommendations, like me hehe

[@jobanpreetlehal678]

KrustySwisher same

[@oidbio2565]

Good thing it's less than 1/2 hour. I assume you did your math homework right after finishing this!

[@sinansalameh]

same with me :D

[@jerryscanas]

Same! :)

[@kifter4254]

We need better teachers. Not idiots who teach the 5 kids who already know the material, We need them to actually teach, not assume we know it and skip that part.

[@oidbio2565]

Well, actually, Kifter, that is a statement that doesn't address the issue. You don't know that these people shouldn't be teaching. In fact, perhaps they really should be teaching. But they also need to be teaching the higher level classes where algebra is used. For instance, perhaps they should be teaching Calculus as well. This would do one of two things: either they would stop teaching math or they would teach it and have a sense of where it is going and what to prioritize in the lower level classes. Either way, math classes would be better taught.

[@oidbio2565]

You have no clue and no logic. In the first part you said the 5 kids already know the material. In the second part you said the teacher shouldn't assume they know the material. Which is it? Knowing something and being able to use it are two different things.

[@kifter4254]

oid bio if you can’t use it, that means you don’t properly know the material..

[@oidbio2565]

@@kifter4254 No, actually it means you don't know how to use it.

[@anthonynorman7545]

Is it a high school algebra teacher's fault that only 5 of the 25 students in the class remember their multiplication tables or how to add integers or one step algebraic equations? Hint: those are all 6th grade or lower skills.

[@notafurry5965]

Algebra isn’t hard at all, you just need good teachers

[@MrCmon113]

Not a Furry Algebra is very hard, but the most useful algebra is fortunately the easiest.

[@MarciaArleneDebra]

I believe that a good foundation in math is absent, and this ,combined with the terminal learning promoted by schools militate against mastery of math content. Terminal learning refers to superficial handling of topics, without aiming for sustainability-the effect is that content is soon forgotten, but math is hierarchical, to succeed at the top, you must know what happened at the bottom. I remember doing some math briefly with my American cousin while I was on vacation, and I explained some algebra to him, and his lament was-if someone would teach me math like this I would be able to do it. When teachers teach math they assume tacit knowledge on the part of the learner, if this knowledge is not there or it cannot be accessed, there can be no progress. Sometimes it cannot be accessed because although the knowledge is present, the student cannot transfer it -they cannot see how it can be used outside the context in which it was learned. I am not a math teacher, but I did advanced math courses while studying accounting, which I studied independently, and I had to thoroughly analyse and understand why every step was taken in order to generalize it to different situations. Problem solving involves the use of different content areas to solve a problem, it involves understanding what needs to be done, and what mathematics knowledge needs to be applied, and this is what makes algebra special or some would say difficult.

[@makogan9599]

Algebra is easy. The problem is how the US has trained it;s students prior to reaching the algebra level.

[@arnabchatterjee4847]

Algebra just needs your creativity of recreating the expression.

[@marshwetland3808]

@@MrCmon113 Algebra is hard? I don't think this video is about linear algebra. I didn't watch it, just the clickbait title pissed me off.

[@Willam_J]

This describes, what I’ve always felt, was the problem with the way algebra is being taught in schools. How many times can you make students beat their heads against a wall, only to come up with answers like “(XY) squared”, before they want to slit their wrists? I hated algebra. I hated it with a passion. When I went on to college for my EE degree, I was scared of the math, when I really shouldn’t have been. When I used those same equations to come up with answers like “1,200 ohms” or “36 volts”, it came easy to me. It became so intuitive, that if I calculated a wrong answer, it was immediately apparent. What we are failing at, is teaching students how to apply algebra to solve real-world problems, which will show them the value of it. You can show me all of the ways to hammer nails into wood, but if you don’t show me that I can use that skill to build a house, I’m going to get bored and frustrated very quickly.

[@arminhillman7956]

EXACTLY!

[@danielmansson3841]

Indeed

[@Evan-zj5mt]

Profoundly disagree. Mathematics is an abstract subject and it must be taught as such if a good understanding is to be had. The root cause of the problem is, imho at least, that people are not prepared to put in the hard yards to achieve something meaningful. It's much easier to take a course in psychology and get the easy pass. You can make it fun to an extent with things like programming, but you'll always need the formal notation, which is absent from a block of code. Doing something hard provides the greatest satisfaction, what we should be tackling is the culture of instant gratification.

[@sancingay3645]

Evan to be honest, people are also too reliant on teachers sometimes. Especially in middle and high school. People should realize that they need to put in effort themselves, not only by paying attention in class, but also by studying, preparing, and learning new things to prepare for upcoming classes. I’m currently a freshman in high school, I know that I’m in advanced mathematics at school, but I study and prepare for classes by learning new things in math. I’ve benefited so much by learning things ahead of my grade, and preparing for the future. For example, in 7th grade, I was horribly failing at math, but I started studying in my free time and during the summer. Fast forward to now, all of that study was worth it, because I’m getting the highest grades in math I’ve ever gotten. All it takes is just determination and just a little bit of passion and courage.

[@sancingay3645]

baldy hardnut mathematics and physics can apply to all aspects of life. Mathematics should be seen as a way of logical and rational thinking; it provides us with skills that we can apply to our lives. Mathematics is not merely a subject to be learned, it’s a mentality to be mastered.

[@joecook5689]

I think when kids switch to algebra in like 8th grade the appearance of letters in the problems throws them off. They think now it gets complicated. And scared of failing and struggling. like long division in third grade did for some. So my idea is introduce letters as the variable for basic arithmetic problems once in a while when they're young. Like 2 plus 2 equals x. Solve for x. Correct! 4. Good job. My whole point is mix in letters earlier.

[@boopy6430]

I've always found math in generally to be extremely confusing. There was always a question of "why". English and biology were easy. I found explaining and calculating physics easy as well, but when it was math, I understood nothing. Theres always a part of me thats lagging behind and trying to figure out why we did this to get that. In Physics it sounded logical to me and it stuck; Pressure decreases when a fluid speeds up so we adjust the wings of a plane to lessen the resistance on one side to make air speed up and pressure decrease as as a result, the ratio is tipped and the plane goes up. But when it was math it was all we get x and y and blah blah. None of them were real things so none of them were something I could remember. That's the only reason i really found algebra hard. It was just so abstract that nothing stuck.

[@waxbruh5965]

You’ve explained this so well! I trip myself up on the why so much! Its so frustrating when my teacher will tell me “just use a random number in place of x” and he’ll get a right answer and mine will be wrong. When I ask him how he got that number he’ll say I just picked it and not explain his process or reasoning at all, like it’s obvius

[@nicoandersen4231]

Clicked out of curiosity, stayed for Emmanuel's lively energy.

[@nothingHereJor]

For most videos, my volume only has to be around 25 - 30. For this video, I have to turn my volume up to 100 to get to that same loudness.

[@oidbio2565]

It was too loud for me...had to turn my volume down (and my hearing sucks)

[@slick_Ric]

glad it wasn't just my sound acting up, what was up with that?

[@RaginDragn24]

I think algebra is hard because it feels like a chore to learn and our algebra class is beyond boring and with the old education system we have today, it feels forced. I want to learn but lecturing and taking notes while constantly feeling tired and bored is not how I want to learn. I want to have fun In my learning.

[@0123vegeta]

that's a whole other problem that also has to be dealt with lol :P

[@oidbio2565]

Well, may be it shouldn't be taught like a dictionary being taught to English students. There are many cool ideas that students CAN understand but are assumed unable to understand because they don't know enough math. It's like teaching students every word in the dictionary before they get to write a sentence.

[@johnking6308]

Yes, it is "beyond boring" because it could not possibly be interesting. There are no people or stories to go with it. Algebra requires a part of our brains that we haven't used all day long. This is why so many students ask "Why do we need to know this stuff?"

[@jeremyh4180]

He didn't show why algebra is hard. Like the title 😒. He showed how we can get computer science into math class😒. Duh this is not the same.

[@navysailor1980]

The line got blurred between the topic of Algebra, and why its difficult to understand and computer science. He spent more time talking about computer science than the topic of the video. The topic of the video needs to change, more like why we use algebra for computer science.

[@oidbio2565]

He kind of did at the beginning but he was very vague about what was done to improve math education with computer science. I kept waiting for specifics but never heard any.

[@pamathtutor3240]

He said the reason algebra is hard is because math is first taught as a process. Algebra is not a process. Then he goes into how he tried to make math easier through computer programs.

[@stephenhelm3154]

4:00 buddy (;

[@hasan7275]

well, algebra is so difficult because its purposes and applications are incredibly invisible to students. Computer Science in math class allows people to look at it with purpose.

[@mooviedude141]

I took a basic algebra course in college just to brush up on long lost math skills and it was easy breezy smooth sailing at the beginning as we were covering the basics but as soon we got into algebraic equations everyone went brain dead. It went from 1-100 on a scale of difficulty within two days, there has to be a better way to teach students how to understand algebra.

[@MarciaArleneDebra]

The problem with teaching algebra or any involved area of math is that the instructor assumes that the student has certain background knowledge, and does not explain things in detail because it is assumed to be understood. I once was helping some students with a bonus question in algebra; they were studying linear equations with one variable, and the teacher gave out a bonus question which was an equation with two variables which had to be solved simultaneously, by first creating a linear equation with one unknown, solving for that unknown, and then by substitution solving for the second unknown. This required additional knowledge than was applicable in solving an equation with one variable which is what they were currently studying. First you needed to understand that any equation could be solved if you had one unknown variable; in the simple linear equations you were studying, this was what you were doing. However, when you graduated to an equation with two variables,-although you had to solve it linearly,-you had to create a linear equation with one variable , but you now needed to know how-this was a conceptual leap- there was an additional step that you were not taught. A student would know how to solve a linear equation, but not how to create one with one variable from two. Thus, you would find yourself fumbling. I study math as a leisure activity to try an understand why students make the mistakes that they do, and I have realized that instructors sometimes operate mechanically without thinking of the meaning of what they are doing, and this hinders students understanding.

[@justmek1923]

Damn so im not the only one who thinks algebra is so difficult to understand

[@mustashride]

@@MarciaArleneDebra spot on.

[@sumsar01]

You just need time under the pen or at the blackboard. You are wasting your time in lectures listening to mathematics. No one ever learned anything at a math lecture.

[@mariarose8705]

preach

[@BenjaminLee2009]

not gonna lie i actually legit cried over my math homework on functions, logarithms and exponentials before watching this

[@idon.t2156]

and after...

[@ericdaniel323]

Your teacher probably cried when he/she was grading it as well.

[@FreakingRockstar101]

So was the Ted Talk "Why is algebra so hard?" or "How to force people into computer science classes"?

[@yusukeotani3411]

somebody didnt pay attention.

[@FreakingRockstar101]

@@yusukeotani3411 was it you? lol because he talked about algebra for like 7 seconds and then went on to cs classes

[@63Limar]

start - 2:33 personal info 2:33 - 6:15 talking about math 6:15 - 9:00 talking how it does not simply take any programming language and learn it, why it won't work with math if you take Java, for example 9:00 - 9:40 talking how merging a proper language designed for math and CS would need to work 9:40 - 11:40 talking how the government of the USA trying to push for CS but it's extremely expensive and would cost a lot 11:40 - end talking about how the problem of both pushing for CS and studying algebra would be solved if you would merge teaching of algebra and programming by using the right programming language. What are you talking about again?

[@edschneidmuller9496]

My 9th grade Regents Algebra teacher , Mr Cacuitto actually made algebra fun. I was typically not very good at math but ended up scoring a 93 % on the NYS Regents exam. If memory serves he had more students in his classes ace the regents than any other teacher on NYS.I was lucky to have him.And he was a really nice fellow.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

As a math tutor the kids who can not add/ multiply fractions have problems with algebra. Good number literacy is required before algebra.

[@oidbio2565]

I have to agree with you but, for instance AB705 in California which is recently passed legislation, enforces a just in time approach rather than the tool-bag approach.

[@johnking6308]

So how do you explain kids who are good at four function arithmetic, fractions and decimals but could never pass algebra? I repeated algebra so many times I probably majored in it.

[@samk6042]

It’s not that the teachers aren’t smart, it’s that they don’t know how to relate that’s knowledge to others. Teaching effectively is a hard skill that not anyone can master.

[@oidbio2565]

Honestly, those learning math can't just treat the class like they're watching something on TV. Student's have to make it relate to what they already know. That's their job. To put it all on the teacher is unrealistic. Every student has a different perspective and understanding. If you want someone who can relate to a student, hire a math tutor.

[@paulcoy5201]

Well, first a teacher has to care about what they are doing, want to teach their students, not just throw a bunch at them, them drown them in homework.

[@MarciaArleneDebra]

I have realized that teaching math is a skill that, and most of the people who teach it lack the skill. To be an effective math teacher or any subject with a well-structured domain, you need to know why a student does the wrong thing. The teacher must like math, and do not make children think-through their own attitude-that math is difficult.

[@MarciaArleneDebra]

I agree that caring about students is part of the package, but a lot of teachers do not. I remember when I was at school most of my teachers were either undergraduates in math or science, and the science majors did at least two years of advanced math-they were all good at math, but not at teaching. when a teacher has taught a topic they should look at the student for that puzzled look, and if it is there,then they should know without asking that the topic needs to be retaught because there is some confusion. Teachers teach, and they always think that students should understand, and this is a fallacious belief. When a student receives instructions for the first time it must be remembered that they are novices, and it is normal if they do not get it the first time, and one should not conclude that they cannot do it. They are not at the same level of the instructor, and that should be acknowledged.

[@MarciaArleneDebra]

You have succinctly articulated it, but liking learning is the most important thing. I was on Vacation in the U.S.A a few years ago, and my cousin who was in high school started a discussion which ended on math, and I ended up explaining some aspect of algebra to him. He was so pleased that he remarked that if he had someone teach him math,like that, he would be able to do it well. I told him that I am not a math teacher, but I like math and I am interested in learning. Math learning cannot be terminal because all the little things that you learned remain relevant even when dealing with higher level topics.

[@oidbio2565]

The last part of what you wrote is the main issue. But there are more issues like, for instance, in a math teacher test at a local elementary school the answer to 0 to the 0 power was 1. Well that's simply not true. But if you said it was anything other than 1 you got that problem wrong. It's pretty screwed up. People in the US are proud to be bad at math. They say so. Parents tell their kids, people tell each other...for God's sake...how many people would admit to being completely illiterate!?! This culture is so thoroughly entrenched with ignorance pride.

[@MrCmon113]

But it is. Doesn't really matter how optimistic you are, some students will fail no matter what. That's because once you go beyond mere calculations, mathematics requires some degree of creativity.

[@Mugen_YG]

autoplay always trails me off into ted talks videos when I'm looking up videos on a topic of math/physics. Not gonna lie, they're a treat.

[@UltimateTrekkie1]

Math and algebra are definitely key, and there's something exciting about finding new and innovative ways to teach it by making it fun and something kids enjoy learning.

[@azlizzie]

As a math teacher interested in teaching a stem related elective, this didn't actually help me at all.

[@oidbio2565]

Yeah, same here

[@SiMeGamer]

Use your student's daily life as ways to draw them into the subject. If someone arrives by bus to school, ask the route the bus takes and ask how long are those distances approximately or how long it takes to get to school. Ask them how long they spend watching TV or playing computer games per day and then form a function around that. Show them the amount of hours spent they will have when they are 25 if they keep this up. Not to say to stop doing that but just to show how you can know things about the future using these formed functions and then what more information you can derive from those functions. Tell a story. Make the students want to ask "how" or "why" or "what's next". Make them curious. Try to approach every single student over a few lessons. Show them all how useful and how cool math is. Ask them what they want to do in the future and apply the math being taught to their career choice. If you don't know what their career entails then try to learn a bit and prepare it for next class. Make the students engaged. When they focus then they see patterns and then they learn. Have them teach a class themselves.Being able to teach something is of even greater benefit because teaching increases understanding and boosts confidence and shows the other people in class that people their age can not only understand these things but teach it as well. I'm a private tutor of many subjects. Primarily math. And I find that pulling students in is the best way for them to not disengage and lose interest, making my job as a teacher way harder as well. I hope this was of use :]

[@GenerationX1984]

Yeah. It doesn't explain why certain polynomials were impossible to divide in elementary algebra. I would have been an almost straight A student in high school if it wasn't for those damn math classes.

[@tomnimanju3543]

It's nice to see someone so invested in and so passionate about education.

[@oidbio2565]

He's only acting that way

[@kifter4254]

man I love hearing this guy talk, clear explanations, and is probably is an amazing teacher

[@oidbio2565]

funny maybe but very vague

[@icaropereira3218]

A true teacher, left the audio too low and lowers even further when telling the important part.

[@dylanblack8487]

Many students in the Uk start getting lost very early on because the teachers teach too fast for them and once they are lost they maybe lost forever but there really is no excuse for most students if they are willing to learn they can consult the internet including lessons that are free on you tube, I never had this when I was at school.

[@RyanNerd]

Algebra is easy for the minority. Emmanual points out beautifully that simple math is a process, and that algebra is an abstraction; which requires a different manner of thinking than standard math. It's nice to see someone so passionate about math and CS. I've been developing software for over 25 years. Often the junior and high school math teacher is also tasked with teaching programming (even though they are NOT the same thing). My oldest son's math/CS teacher couldn't program her way out of a paper bag made of wet toilet paper. She may have been a decent math teacher, but she had no clue how to even code a simple "Hello World". My son ended up teaching her CS class.

[@ghost_in_the_robot]

Do you have any resources you'd suggest for learning how to program software? I believe I need to start from the ground up and restructure my entire concept of algebra and math.

[@MrCmon113]

That's just syntax. The hardest part of CS is the mathematics.

[@xoxoali9070]

This has been on my recommended so long- i’m just gonna watch it

[@savagecub]

As a child algebra freaked me out because you had numbers and letters together. To my mind numbers belonged with other numbers and letters belonged with their own kind as well. The other thing was the plotting of a function, don’t even get me started about that one.

[@dna1238]

All the ingredients of a Great Talk , Thank You Mr. Schanzer.

[@hullgatt]

Where some teachers fall short is their pedagogy; basically their ability to teach. I've heard a math teacher say things such as "A math teacher can get away with only knowing the material well". Fortunately, he did well but by discrediting himself and believing in that sort of reasoning he restricts himself from reaching his full potential! I am confident that most students and teachers knows what changes are needed because the educationsystem of today is unmodern. I believe Salman Khan (Khan Academy) approach to digitalize education follows the right path and will help to reduce the extreme amount of paper work that teacher have. It has the potential to revolutionize the education system. Nevertheless, if you are a teacer reading this; I understand, I appreciate and I respect your honest work. Thank you for your attention!

[@andrewpantlin409]

I used to be ok at basic algebra then it became more complicated and i got moved down a group. Awhile after i moved back up but luckily the maths teachers wasnt there. instead a special needs teacher was running the class. She saw me struggling and spent 5 minutes going through it in a different way. It clicked i understood and i even helped out my friend in the class.

[@IOxyrinchus]

If find that algebra is easy if explained in excruciating detail I.e. In a simplistic manner. And I mean super basic, so you build a firm understanding from the ground up. This could also be phrased as, get a good teacher.

[@oidbio2565]

Ask questions, go to teacher office hours, hire a tutor, ask a friend, work with other students, find a youtube video....damn there are alot of options. The teacher isn't just there for you. They have to talk to everyone and are under time pressure to get through a certain amount of material by the end of the term.

[@Celestials1aurora]

@@oidbio2565 Kimberly Alcala 1 second ago hi I am with a problem can you give me some advice, so I take currently Geomerety. I am being honest when I say I had algebra 1 before this year, I never had pre-algebra they just threw me in algebra 1. I never learned algebra I am confused by everything in it. My teacher tried to explain but did not give us time to study because we just had constant homework, and never a good learning introduction or any explanation. Just slides and paper of work for us to only do and no teaching. Now sadly my teacher passed away during that school time so we never had a qualified teacher. I do not know what to do because I am so behind in math. I just need someone to give me good advice that CAN HELP. I need to know algebra to be able to continue on in math, now I am faced with algebra in geometry that I do not understand one bit. Please help me

[@anthonynorman7545]

No, you've described a tutor. A teacher is unable to individually breakdown every nuance of a lesson in the precise manner that'll be reduced to the optimal explanation on a per student basis. There's 25 students, 1 teacher and 1 hour.

[@saltypotatochip4707]

i know right this is what my old teacher used to do.He used to show us logic to explain why the formulas worked, and why it was the way it was. He made algebra super easy for everyone.

[@xantheedwards9257]

Anthony Norman wtf does a teacher help with then

[@bjjeffries8172]

Arithmetic is to math as spelling is to journalism. Powerful statement

[@oidbio2565]

uh...journalists have the worst spelling I've ever seen. And there is no auto-correct for math (yet).

[@MrCmon113]

@@oidbio2565 Arithmetics is calculation. You can do that with a calculator.

[@oidbio2565]

@@MrCmon113 so....? What does that have to do with auto-correct? There is no auto-correct for typing the digits of number into a calculator incorrectly. There IS auto-correct for typing the misspelling of a word into a computer. That's not the same, Taxtro. You think a calculator is going to assume you meant a different number when you type one into it? LOL! That's hilarious!

[@EthanNikelsky]

What a brilliant speaker. Truly enjoyed the talk.

[@AmateurContendr]

This really hits close to home with me. The only reason I'm in my CS major is because my high school Geometry teacher convinced me to take his CS class.

[@HDitzzDH]

It really isn't hard itself, it's completely logical and makes perfect sense however it's often taught by people who, either doesn't understand it well enough themselves or just explains it in a weird way.

[@danielblack4190]

I went through the algebra transition a while back, and I fully sympathize. It's weird to think about at first

[@liamhoward2208]

I was afraid of math as a kid and failed algebra1 my first year in high school. The only time I ever failed a grade. Part of the reason I failed was because I believed I couldn’t do it. You can learn anything if you want to. It’s that simple. I’m now about to go into the Statistical Science and Data Analytics major in college. Hoorah

[@davidthomas9276]

Your key phrase: "... if you want to." Yes. You can learn anything you want to learn. Algebra should not be required; it should be an elective, available for those who want to learn it.

[@liamhoward2208]

@@davidthomas9276 given that logic, everything should be an elective. What about the children who do not even know they are interested in it yet? Math is so foundational for problem solving skills and strategies, and it takes so long to learn, I think it is a good thing that it is required.

[@bisharpblade6155]

As soon as he said "one to one" and "onto" I got bad flashbacks to my linear algebra/differential equations final at Cal.

[@bonkdragon5504]

The reason why people find algebra hard is that it goes through a series of simple patterns that must be followed to produce meaning. However, people won't understand the process without knowing the basics and reason of solving algebra. Due to this, people tend to memorize only the formulas rather than understanding the process first then memorizing. It's like memorizing how to read simple sentences without learning why they are laid out that way. For example, This is the pattern that you memorized: 1. I saw a cow. 2. I drank juice. 3. I slept in bed. This is what you have: 1. A cow is what I have seen before entering the school grounds. 2. The juice in the refrigerator was emptied by me. 3. I chose the bed as the place where I will sleep. For a person without proficiency in English, trying to know the meaning of the second example would be really hard. The same goes to mathematical equations. Now I have a question for you. Did you try to understand the basics laid out in elementary grade and then applied it to the 7th grade algebra and so on... OR did you try to become serious only when you are in high school or college?

[@SashaFearless]

love thi guy, just fell in love with algebra

[@autistichead8137]

Social engineering bait and switch. Title has nothing to do with the video.

[@Goshujinsama01]

how can we force school to buy my merch the tedtalk

[@slick_Ric]

title was addressed in the first 5 minutes, albeit vaguely

[@harviecz]

Don't you think it's better that he focused on the solution rather than the problem stated in the title?

[@vash2929]

In all of my 33 years of living ive never used algebra. And now i own my own security company and 3 🏠 algebra is for people who want to be doctors or scientists. Or engineers. Between 18 and 33 never saw a use for it. In fact most people dont use algebra in they life at all this why i like trade school over college because. They get straight to the point if you wanna learn how to paint 🏠 thats what they teach now if that was in college they be like oh here learn a bunch of other stuff that has nothing to do with. Painting houses

[@samanthapeters8314]

He didn't explain why algebra is hard. He just spoke about why it's important, and ways of teaching it in school.

[@DrJohnPollard]

I agree, waste of time.

[@topherlambert]

He was saying most people are literal thinkers and don’t know how to be creative thinkers.

[@sinan_islam]

Long story short, we need a programming language that express Math. Tip: Check out Julia Programming Language!

[@powerhour4602]

before I watch, my answer is inside algebra: Quadratic formula. Pre Algebra: compound fractions.

[@computingatschoolTV]

Added to our keynotes playlist.

[@zachjones6944]

Symbolic logic should be tought in year 9 to foster abstraction and mathematical reasoning.

[@sethryclaus]

The answer is LISP apparently. Love it :)

[@Raphie009]

Algebra 1 is where I hit my first wall as an otherwise honor roll student. Never recovered. Barely made it out of Algebra 2. I've eschewed all advanced maths ever since.

[@liltoaster7308]

Complex math like algebra can only be done if you have the right genetics and a high enough IQ. Some people either don't have the correct genetics to have the cognitive ability to even perceive the math, or don't have a high enough IQ to perceive the math. You're either born with the skills to do it or you aren't. Since the majority of US citizens are just about average on the IQ scale, they'll be able to do basic level math and algebra, but struggle beyond it. Anyone below the average will never be able to do anything beyond the basics. The few above average will excel in these subjects. This explains the very low amount of individuals who are actually very good at math. There aren't many high IQ individuals, thus there aren't many people who are good at math. You either have the gift or you don't.

[@dumidumi2631]

Algebra isn’t hard as long as you ask questions and pay attention. I’ve understood algebra since day 1

[@pheonixxxrose]

Algebra is hard because it is hard to relate it to real life. Next, it requires practice and a blood sacrifice to Math Satan to understand it....ijs

[@doublevision.productions]

Chris Reflections LMFAOOOO @ blood sacrifice to math satan!!!!! roflmdao

[@PatrickMorcillo]

Amen to that! :-P

[@kimdawson8997]

Chris Reflections facts

[@arbocorp]

Anyone recommend bootstrap classes referred to this video? I loved algebra, didn't know what to do with it in real world

[@daviddemar8749]

Misleading title of presentation Very little time spent on the title topic. Most of the presentation is about CS education.

[@oidbio2565]

And it wasn't even that

[@DaneBrooke]

I'd like the original poster to increase the volume and repost.

[@rfvtgbzhn]

You can calculate compound interest without knowing anything on functions, by just using the formula of (1+x/100)^y, when x is the interest rate in percent and y the number of years. Of course you need the exponential function to calculate this if y is not a whole number, but it's not important if you have a calculator. Or to say it differently: you can use mathematics without completely understanding it. I think many scientists do this, e.g. many quantum physicist use the SO(3) group without knowing the whole group theoretical background.

[@RyanNerd]

I've been developing software for over 25 years. Functions and Formulas are exactly the same thing: function compoundInterst(interest_rate, years) { return (1+interest_rate/100)^years }

[@rfvtgbzhn]

Ryan Jentzsch Still you don't neey to know what a function is to use the formula and you can derive anything about compoud interest without knowing anything about functions. I know what a function is in mathematics: it is a way to map each number in a domain to another number (or in more dimensions each point to another point). Yes, a formula does the same, but in function theory you can also say if the function is smooth, what the domain is, etc. You don't need this for simple calculations. PS: compound interest exists at least since 2400 BC, the concept of functions only since about the 14th century. If you use only rational numbers, which is the case for every practical implication, you don't even need the exponential function because a^(n/m) = (a^n)^(1/m), and if n and m are whole numbers, you can calculate the nth power and mth root without using the exponential function. Actually the exponential function is only known since the 17th century, while roots can be calculated at least since around 1800 BC.

[@sumsar01]

@@rfvtgbzhn I don't see why you need the exponential function if y isn't an integer? You only really need to know the generators of group like SO(3), SU(2) etc. actually you don't really use much more or you at least don't need to know that you do.

[@rfvtgbzhn]

@@sumsar01 The usual formula for calculating non-integer powers uses the exponential function. Of course you can also use a combination of an integer root and an integer power. Eg. x^(3/2) = (x^1/2)^3. But the calculation of any root contains the exponential function: x^(1/n) = exp(ln(x)/n). Of course to really calculate numbers you need some approximation like a taylor series but this is also the case if you calculate any exponential function. Even exp(1) is an irrational number which means that an exact calculation of exp(1) is not possible.

[@kaleahcollins4567]

Watching for my daughter who is in the 9th grade now and my younger one who in 7 years time will be.

[@sammiegirl883]

I was in LD and teachers just didn't want to teach math. I had an 8th grade teacher that said f it let's do algebra. It wasn't part of his original curriculum but he wanted to see how we did. Now being in LD doesn't mean we have low IQs because if we did we'd be in the special education class. We were smart kids that just had some kind of learning disability. Schools and teachers a lot of the time just fail to teaching us. Having a dozen kids who have unique needs and problems can can make it hard to write a particular curriculum. Back to my 8th grade math class. He started teaching us the basics of algebra and I was loving it. To me it wasn't hard at all and it was fun. I wanted to learn more but his experiment ended and he decided to teach us the original humdrum basic simple math. I was doing great and got everything right but most of the kids couldn't do it. Since then I haven't learned anything more. My learning disability wasn't that big of a deal. Just a little dyslexia but mostly an anxiety disorder. When I was in large classes I couldn't think or do my work. And the LD classes didn't individualize a learning curriculum. We where giving work that the slowest kid could do so what that meant for me was doing the same work year in and year out. Only a few teachers taught me anything and they were 3 teachers in middle school. Other than that I learned everything on my own and after highschool. What I really want to do now is teach myself math. Even though I don't know much I think I'm capable.

[@hayleyf9438]

I’m not the best math student. But last year in algebra I had a really good teacher so I did really well.

[@zixzizia1066]

It’s actually quite fun to me and it feels like the only thing I’m really good at in math. I don’t know why, it’s just super easy to me. When crossing the equal sign change signs etc..

[@oidbio2565]

what about why the graph of x^2 + y^2 = 1 has asymptotes y = x and y = -x ?

[@zixzizia1066]

oid bio oops! Haven’t done that quite yet! Still in pre calculus!

[@filth_nasty]

@@oidbio2565 circles don't have asymptotes unless you meant a negative sign for a hyperbola. I'll see myself out.

[@edwardbraunhut5120]

@@filth_nasty yup...typing too fast. thx...I don't even know why I posted that.

[@AdrienLegendre]

Students use language skills in all classes; they read, write, speak and comprehend in all subject areas. Math is also a language and should be applied in all classrooms. Math can be applied to history, the arts, social and physical sciences. Make graphs, make tables, look for cause and effects relationships, identify certain generalizations. apply deductive reasoning; we need evidence based reasoning and this can only occur with math.

[@christinefindorff5328]

This video didn't really answer the question that it was titled. I was hoping to get an answer that would increase my understanding of math and how the brain works, because while I haven't had too much of a struggle in math (I'm a senior in high school and taking my second year of calculus) I want to be able to understand why many people experience difficulty with it. Algebra itself isn't hard, what it really comes down to is a person's IQ and their teacher. There are some math teachers that are just straight up bad at teaching math and I think that's part of why many kids struggle with math. I've had a combination of good teachers and helpful peers which for sure has helped me. Another reason that schools are struggling with getting students to understand algebra is that the entire school system emphasizes achievement/ego-protection goals like GPA rather than the actual understanding and learning. If schools focused more on getting students to understand the relationship between numbers thoroughly before introducing algebra they might find more success. Algebra isn't really much different than just the basic math skills, it just has an added unknown to solve for. Most of the concepts in algebra can be modeled out physically using objects and don't require much abstract thinking at all especially compared to calculus when the problems are no longer 2x + 4 = 10 but rather "calculate the volume of the solid formed when the functions f(x) and g(x) are rotated around the y-axis". Sometimes it's a matter of time on task, but often times if a student doesn't understand the concepts and material to start with, then they won't be able to learn from endless hours of homework without first being taught.

[@tectorama]

Since leaving school, I have never ever needed Algebra.

[@bobbytheotherbobby8833]

Solo cups and picnic ware😀 love it!

[@dokbob5795]

Algebra is like a set of scales. The quantity on one side balances what is on the other. Divide both sides or multiply and they still balance. But then an answer sometimes emerges. Cross multiplying was an ingenious solution to some problems. I enjoyed it when at 11 years old, I found that X was the same as 1X.

[@oidbio2565]

Algebra is more than just equations dude.

[@dokbob5795]

@@oidbio2565 And mathematics is more than 1 plus 1. You have to start somewhere and understanding basic principles is a huge step to getting to grips with the rest. If kids were taught slowly, so that they could get things into their heads and feel right with them, then they can progress with confidence.

[@Evil_pinata]

Algebra, geometry, and statistics was something I struggled with but did much better in calculus and DE for some reason.

[@KillerFaceification]

sounds awesome! now where can i do bootstrap to suppliment my college algebra class?

[@gilliangarcia3530]

Wow I was so engaged in this video I thought their was more

[@steveilicous]

Appreciate the video. Please edit video to increase volume using a leveler or equivilant and reload

[@Gonthor1000]

Friendly reminder to turn down your volume before your next video.

[@marktryer315]

This is great

[@DouglasHPlumb]

"=" doesn't always mean equivalence, sometimes its assignment. y=7+2 assigns the value of 7 to y.

[@DouglasHPlumb]

9 to y 8-)

[@dnarxusyt6367]

In my experience, Algebra was hard for me because I don't know its importance, how would I use it in my everyday life. You see, basic operations are easily learned because we can use representations to make a child understand. You may use the quantity of apples to prove that 2+2 is 4. Cut an apple into half and you can show to a child what's 1 divided into 2 which is clearly 1/2. For Algebra, I was told to find the value of x and y. I didn't give a damn thing about their values because I simply couldn't understand why should I. How can I apply it into real life? I think that's what is lacking in some educational systems. We were taught the basics without teaching us where exactly we can use it to.

[@isaiyanez4543]

I’m trying to join the electrical union and man the aptitude test is nothing but algebra 1 haha Taking an algebra course in a CC and man I really needed to brush up on it :/

[@purcell2319]

Boolean algebra really helped me with my algebra

[@isaacr8776]

? How it doesnt follow any of the same "logic" or rules

[@ChiefSmackahoLLC]

Yeah, this talk is titled incorrectly. It's not about why Algebra is hard; most of the talk is about potential changes to the way Computer Science and Algebra (in school curriculums) can be taught together or independently to allow one subject to support the other for overall better results.

[@jaysondemarco5263]

With my college algebra class they literally start off with squared stuff equations and pemdas stuff instead of going all the way back to addition subtraction multiplication division for one day then going after that

[@joeycardacle4516]

This guys main point was??? All over the place with an open ended ending that offers more questions. It’s like he left in the middle of a speech.

[@ProfessorElectronic]

I believe nothing is hard to learn. The person teaching need to articulate clearly and use proper key words that will create an intuition in the person mind,

[@vincenttv6325]

Algebra is easy to teach. The problem we have can be solved by offering the same pay as a doctor would receive. This would help more smart people into the teaching profession. So parents who are also voters can start informing your elected reps.

[@williamwolfe8708]

very nice talk.

[@funnature8679]

I quite excellent in algebra just dissect the problem into their individual pieces and solve, I just make it simpler, because complexity is the enemy of execution, with practice and hard work alone will make anyone excel, make sure you sleep well and learn from mistakes. main advice for algebra dissect the problems when you understand it.

[@miner507]

Great passion

[@oidbio2565]

Yeah I'm always amazed at how passionate some can be without saying anything

[@6Uncles]

can someone link me the study to the algebra grades being strongly correlated with money earned in a lifetime?

[@josuearreola1408]

David Wu i dont think there is correlation

[@magicmonster615]

I know right.

[@greengoblin9567]

for me, algebra is ultimately easy. If you don't think it is, practice makes man perfect.

[@starinsky2873]

Hey search for school yourself

[@stevenshirley3936]

Your math levels will determine what your income is. those with an MBA will far exceed those with a high school degree. Algebra is a way to get an answer like how to get employees to take pay cuts and build your bonuses compliments of your employees.

[@TheodoreViollet]

12:02 THE ROBOT GLITCHES

[@komal6773]

Poor audio quality

[@self-improvement4866]

Ikr i can barely hear a word.

[@criven3128]

It’s just kinda quiet

[@icaropereira3218]

Yep

[@pocketNinjaDesign]

It didn't seem to be about Algebra in the end. The whole thing was a great big variable with a different value.

[@custermanlulu6153]

in the Philippines,I used the book How to used Algebra Problems the Easy Way by Lualhati,i was given by my father

[@johnnyjoestar1107]

Lucky I stress out in algebra and I just feel very depressed when others find it easy and when they learn faster then me.

[@CoolGirl007]

I have been attended a coding class but uncompleted due to constantly movement, now can't remember any

[@tpstrat14]

Like anything worth doing, learning math is insanely difficult. But with great sacrifice comes great rewards. Hence, the rewards are much more than "fun". Why would you ever teach kids that math is fun? Kids don't want to just have fun. They want to have *meaning*. Fun is embedded within meaning. Of course rocket launch videos are fun to watch, but it's also a very meaningful endeavor

[@3851035]

Ironic that a video about problem solving didn't address or solve the problem put forth by the title of the video...

[@oidbio2565]

So true...It's amazingly ironic

[@yorkshiregrump5248]

Could someone please boost the volume?

[@amalderraz4989]

The voice is too low, and it gets lower and lower after each second :/ But thanks for the talk Mr Schanzer, I liked it!

[@lebeccthecomputer6158]

Since when is algebra hard? It’s something that hardly even needs to be taught; it’s expanded intuition

[@christianmitchell844]

Old 8ga teacher from middle school. Nicest guy in the world!

[@intergalacticraisins8985]

8:03 isn't really a fail because you would only subtract x from both sides if it had an assigned value. That line is saying an unknown variable is equal to it's old value plus 2. The program isn't saying 10=10+2 !

[@luciusirving5926]

Learning geometry is harder, a least algebra doesn't require undersanding of logic. Someimes, it's best to separate geometry from logic like the way Geometry Demystified did. Algebra is only hard if you never learned dissimilar denominators and word problems, which are an absolute must.

[@dark8raskolbeth]

Try Blitzer College Algebra

[@VeryScaryBiscuits]

I am a 24 year old white man in 2020 who is trying to comprehend pre-algebra. Meanwhile, I don't have any idea what coding or "cs" is, except - something to do with computers. This talk was very well put together, but I can't really get behind his cause, since I am clearly behind the times.

[@VeryScaryBiscuits]

CS=computer science, okay

[@jalapenohiway]

I really like this upload but the audio is terrible & I feel that if that issue was fixed this would have way more views. Ijs