• Cethin@lemmy.zip
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    1 month ago

    I don’t think you’re right. The wiki page literally uses a similar equation as an example of “elementary arithmetic.” It also uses a similar one, but with variables, as an example in “elementary algebra.” That implies that yes, this is arithmetic, and the introduction of variables is what makes it algebra.

    It doesn’t matter what course finally teaches it to you. That could be just out of convenience, not by definition part of that domain. It’s been ages since I took it, though I could swear I learned this in pre-algebra (meaning before algebra), or earlier. I could be wrong on this though. Again, it’s been a very long time.

    • I don’t think you’re right

      You don’t think Maths textbooks are right??

      The wiki page

      is full of disinformation. Note that they literally never cite any Maths textbooks

      as an example of “elementary arithmetic.”

      And whichever Joe Blow My Next Door Neighbour wrote that is wrong

      as an example in “elementary algebra.”

      Algebra isn’t taught until high school

      That implies that yes, this is arithmetic,

      No, anything with a(b+c) is Algebra, taught in Year 7

      the introduction of variables is what makes it algebra

      and the rules of Algebra, which includes a(b+c)=(ab+ac). There is no such rule in Arithmetic.

      It doesn’t matter what course finally teaches it to you

      It does if you’re going to argue over whether it’s Arithmetic or Algebra.

      not by definition part of that domain

      The Distributive Law is 100% part of Algebra. It’s one of the very first things taught (right after pronumerals and substitution).

      It’s been ages since I took it

      I teach it. We teach it to Year 7, at the start of Algebra