Abstract
In this paper, we deal with the ‘dearithmetization’ of algebra. Historically, the origin of algebra comes from arithmetic. Also school algebra is related to arithmetic in general. However, we have many difficulties in teaching school algebra, and there is many problems for students to learn algebra from elementary arithmetic knowledges. This paper supposed that the solution of these problem may be founded in the ‘dearithmetization’ of algebra. And we supposed that the ‘dearithmetization’ of algebra may be developed by three historical achievements - the completion of symbolic algebra, the principle of permanence of form, and the expansion of number concepts. In order to justify these supposition, we investigate Peacock's ideas, i.e. ‘symbolic algebra’, ‘the principle of permanence of form’, and consider how the integer is introduced in modern mathematics. And we analyze various textbooks, and investigate the ‘dearithmetization’ of school algebra which has been progressed in the three fields - symbolic algebra, the principle of permanence of form, and the expansion of number concepts.