Applied Algebra: The Modeling Technique of Least Squares

Abstract

Algebra on the high school, community college, and college levels is often viewed by students as an abstract game—as skills to be mastered and algorithms to be memorized. To move students from this static view, algebra on all levels should be grounded in applications so that students see it as a useful tool in solving real-world problems. Early in their study of algebra, students should be exposed to mathematical modeling, which can link to their interdisciplinary interests as well as illuminate the need for algebra as a tool for making decisions in a democratic society.