I don’t know what started the word association of algebra with terrible things like brussel sprouts, wall sits and nausea, but a San Francisco Chronicle article today confirmed what I’ve thought for some time now: We need to make like algebra teaches us and come up with another name for it—and I’m not necessarily ruling out “x.”

“For many, the math course was the educational equivalent of castor oil, forced down the throats of teenagers who questioned when they would ever encounter that train leaving Boston at 60 mph,” writes the Chronicle.

Aren’t we just creating a self-fulfilling prophecy here? Where students are set up to fail algebra before they start? Does algebra need to be rebranded? Maybe?! But maybe not! Thankfully, the Chronicle has some answers that don’t involve too many unknown variables:

"Most of us who become mathematicians do so not because of our education but in spite of it," said Kevin Devlin, Stanford University researcher and mathematics professor, as well as the "Math Guy" on National Public Radio. "We're turning kids off a subject that is useful and incredibly interesting and beautiful if taught correctly."

Devlin would like to see "mathematicians in residence" - in the tradition of artists in residence - at middle schools and high schools. They could visit schools, he suggested, and show students the cool side of math - like how an iPod uses algebra to play music.

I think Devlin’s on to something. He’s not exactly suggesting we “rebrand algebra”—more like perform a bloodless coup on the subject. Add in some more passionate, well-trained teachers and when the revolution comes, I’ll be ready.