Graphics calculators and algebra (original) (raw)

1999, 8th South East Asian Conference on Mathematics …

The personal technology of the graphics calculator is presently the only one likely to be available widely enough to influence curriculum design and implementation on a large scale. The algebra curriculum of the past is overburdened with symbolic manipulation at the expense of understanding for most students. But algebra is much more than just symbolic manipulation. Connections between some aspects of algebra: expressing generality, functions, equations and advanced algebra and some graphics calculator capabilities are briefly described. It is suggested that these kinds of connections need to be taken into account in developing the algebra curriculum as well as in classroom teaching. The main purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the important connections between algebra in the secondary school and currently available graphics calculators. The focus is on the introductory study of algebra, usually the province of the lower secondary school years in Australia, formally starting in either Year 7 or Year 8 (dependent on the state concerned). In fact, the study of algebra starts much earlier, in the primary school, with a focus on important mathematical ideas associated with patterns and regularities.