At the end of July, 2012, there appeared an opinion in New York Times titled “Is Algebra Necessary?”. In this opinion, Andrew Hacker tries to understand why the high school students are forced to study mathematics, citing the fact that nationally, one out of four ninth graders fail to finish high school. Dropping algebra from the curriculum seems an easy way to lower the dropout rate. However, is it the right one? Algebra teaches students not just how to do equations, but most importantly, the ability to think logically, – a skill that is essential for many professions, not just those related to science or numbers. The study of law, for example, is based on logical and critical thinking. Perhaps, the right answer is to modify the mathematics curriculum. Math can and should be taught in more engaging and interactive ways. For example, the use of technology (such as tablets) in studying algebra may just be enough to make it the favored subject for many.
