An analysis of the relationship between spreadsheet and algebra

In recent times, the spreadsheet has been suggested as a tool to teach algebra in interme¬diate high school. Our a-priori analysis of the relationship between spreadsheet and algebra shows the inadequacy of this tool to express the fundamental characteristics of algebra, that is, the manipulation of algebraic variables and relations, which make algebra suitable as a formal¬ism for describing models. However, with the attentive guidance of a teacher, the spreadsheet can become a useful tool for motivating the introduction of some concepts of algebra and for reflecting on different resolution models.