Unfriendly Algebra

Here is a perfect example of how algebra can be unfriendly.

x

What does x mean?  Well, mathematically, using algebraic symbols, x means 1x.  Unfortunately, somewhere along the line some "genius" decided when the quantity is 1x, we don't need to write the 1.  This wreaks havoc with low level algebra students.  Thousands of mistakes are being made daily because students don't understand that x really means 1x.  They add and subtract and miscalculate at an alarming rate because of this failure in logic when we use algebra.

Me

I am a public high school math teacher.  In my 22 years of teaching, I have discerned patterns in the errors my students have in doing algebra.  Many of these errors are the result of misunderstanding the symbols and logic of algebra.  I am convinced that many of these misunderstandings could be avoided if we made algebra more user-friendly.