Approaches

The answer that the vast majority of the populous would give to this would be “It isn’t”, and to some extent for the majority that is true, but more importantly how do we as educators break that perception. Finding contexts that have a “real world” application that rely on or have a basis in algebra is all important. So, for example, using formulas in spreadsheets (Tabach, Hershkowitz and Arcavi , 2008) and therefore working with computer science teachers is all important. For those who are destined to be the next generation of mathematicians, scientist, engineers and technologists then the more formal might still be applicable.