Algebra the Beautiful: An Ode to Math's Least-Loved Subject

by G. Arnell Williams

A mathematician reveals the hidden beauty, power, and—yes—fun of algebra  

What comes to mind when you think about algebra? For many of us, it’s memories of dull or frustrating classes in high school. Award-winning mathematics professor G. Arnell Williams is here to change that. Algebra the Beautiful is a journey into the heart of fundamental math that proves just how amazing this subject really is.  

Drawing on lessons from twenty-five years of teaching mathematics, Williams blends metaphor, history, and storytelling to uncover algebra’s hidden grandeur. Whether you’re a teacher looking to make math come alive for your students, a parent hoping to get your children engaged, a student trying to come to terms with a sometimes bewildering subject, or just a lover of mathematics, this book has something for you. With a passion that’s contagious, G. Arnell Williams shows how each of us can grasp the beauty and harmony of algebra.

Genres: Science, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Popular Science

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2022

Reviews

[Genni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an impulse checkout at the library because the subtitle caught my attention. My oldest son loves math and skipped two grades to take algebra. We could not feel more differently about the subject.

After I got it home, I read the inside jacket cover which says, "What comes to mind when you think about algebra? For many of us, it's still active and painful memories of difficulty and frustration in high school. G. Arnell Williams aims to change your mind!" With the exception of the fact that I took it in junior high rather than high school, that blurb certainly described me. However, over the years I have developed a high enough appreciation of the subject that if someone COULD change my mind, I was willing to let them do so. After reading in the introduction that his aim was "to inform, bolster, and inspire your mathematical soul," I decided I was sold and committed to read it cover to cover.

And I am glad that I did. William's expertise, not only in the subject, but in pedagogical method, is evident everywhere. He truly has a gift for taking difficult concepts and breaking them down, and explaining why we do what we do in algebra. In the course of doing this, he also managed to touch on the history of math and education. I learned so many interesting little facts from these incidentals.

Aside from these things, Williams is an excellent writer. Creative similes and metaphors abounded, without making the language convoluted or confusing understanding. Round everything off with his enthusiasm, and you have an interesting read on your hands!

All of that said, while I am glad that I will be able to speak with my son more intelligently on the subject, I don't think I'll be picking up another book on mathematics any time soon. So perhaps my soul was informed and bolstered, but not inspired.

[Callie Vanderbilt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. I went through school during a time when algebra was very much “This is what you do, and this is how you do it,” without the crucial “This is WHY we are doing this.” There was no link between the tool and what the tool could be used for. Algebra was, for me, very much “If Sally has 17 oranges and Steve has three apples, how tall is the Eiffel Tower?” I now have a much greater understanding of both the WHY behind algebra (it can be a powerful tool for examining systems) and the HOW.

[Chris Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really 3.5 stars. There is no one clear target for this book. It has elements that could be used for students to more deeply appreciate the subject. There is a lot on the history of teaching Algebra and its place in the curriculum. Many interesting beginnings come to a screeching halt with a "... beyond the scope of this book." Chapters 8 and 12 about did me in. However, I think the main drift of this book is correct, and it deserves more comprehensive coverage.

[Thomas B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Algebra the Beautiful delivers on its promises of readability for the average reader. It does this by focusing on a few topics in deep and creative ways. It has truly given me, a person who isn’t that big on math, a bigger picture of what algebra is all about. A highly recommendable read.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and insightful. A delighful read.

[Mansoor · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not a bad book per se. But it doesn't have much to offer as a popular science book. It's really best suited to educators of pre-algebra.