Abstract
When a nation faces a shortage in its supply of oil or wheat, a method of increasing the supply is welcomed. Today, the nation is faced with a serious shortage -- not of a natural resource -- but of a human ability. This study is concerned with the problem of increasing the nation's supply of mathematically trained personnel.It is the purpose of this study (1) to outline the basic concepts and objectives of algebra; (2) to examine the way certain principles of algebra are generally presented in the textbook; and (3) to propose ways of presenting these principles that are in line with the basic concepts and objectives.