Color-Coded Algebra

In a typical first physics class, homework consists of problems in which numerical values for physical quantities are given and the desired answer is a number with appropriate units. In contrast, most calculations in upper-division undergraduate physics are entirely symbolic. Despite the need to learn symbolic manipulation, students are often resistant to performing symbolic calculations in their introductory classes. As instructors, we face a choice between encouraging students to use symbolic calculations, including helping them learn the necessary skills to do so, or allowing students to default to numerical calculations, which does not adequately prepare them for their future courses. In this paper, I will describe a color-coded algebra scheme, which helps lower the barriers to symbolic calculations for students.