Before the advent of symbolism, i.e. before the end of the 16th Century, algebraic calculations were made using natural language. Through a kind of metaphorical process, a few terms from everyday life (e.g. thing, root) acquired a technical mathematical status and constituted the specialized language of algebra. The introduction of letters and…

Describes a general education course addressing the linguistic and logical aspects of the language of mathematics which is intended to develop students' abilities to read mathematics, express mathematical thoughts clearly, reason logically, and grasp the nature of proof. Students improved their algebraic procedural skills and attitudes toward…