Is algebra necessary? A reply to Andrew Hacker
Sep 7, 2018 · 3 min read
Is Algebra Necessary?
In the New York Times for July 28, 2012 Andrew Hacker wrote an article entitled “Is Algebra Necessary?” and concluding that it was not. His argument can be summarized as follows (the article is here: The New York Times)
- Math is hard, algebra is especially hard
- Many children fail it
- It has limited applicability to most people’s lives after school
- Therefore, it should not be required.

