An algebraic equation contains one or more letters in it. Each letter in the equation is called a variable. A variable can change in value. We guess at different values for each letter until our ...

SANTA CRUZ – Instead of shooting paint-ball guns with friends or loafing at home, 15-year-old Nash McQuaide has spent a chunk of summer break hunkered down trying to solve algebraic equations.

The vast majority of students won’t take algebra until middle or high school. But teachers can start laying the groundwork for this pivotal class a lot sooner, some researchers say—and instilling ...