2,851
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − + Line 5:
Line 5: − +
no edit summary
'''Algebra''' is a major branch of [[mathematics]] that analyzes the relationships between quantities or items. In higher math the principle fields of algebra are [[linear algebra]], which focuses on matrices, and [[group theory]].<ref>The name algebra comes from the [[Arabic]] word ''al jebr'', which means reduction or "reunion of broken parts" [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/algebra Algebra] as mentioned in a book ''Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala'' translated as ''Science of the Reunion and the Opposition''. This text was written in in about 830 AD by [[Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī| Mohammad ibn-Musa al-Khwarizmi]] of [[Baghdad]]. See the [http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/Museum/alkhwa.html Biography of Al-Khwarizmi]</ref>
'''Algebra''' is a major branch of [[mathematics]] that analyzes the relationships between quantities or items. In higher math the principal fields of algebra are [[linear algebra]], which focuses on matrices, and [[group theory]].<ref>The name algebra comes from the [[Arabic]] word ''al jebr'', which means reduction or "reunion of broken parts" [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/algebra Algebra] as mentioned in a book ''Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala'' translated as ''Science of the Reunion and the Opposition''. This text was written in in about 830 AD by [[Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī| Mohammad ibn-Musa al-Khwarizmi]] of [[Baghdad]]. See the [http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/Museum/alkhwa.html Biography of Al-Khwarizmi]</ref>
== Basic Algebra ==
== Basic Algebra ==
Algebra is a generalization of [[arithmetic]] in which letters stand for numbers in order to accomplish this purpose. Ordinary arithmetic deals with ''specific'' numbers, treated individually: 4 + 7 = 11.
Algebra is a generalization of [[arithmetic]] in which letters stand for numbers in order to accomplish this purpose. Ordinary arithmetic deals with ''specific'' numbers, treated individually: 4 + 7 = 11.
Algebra generalizes these operations by using variables or letters instead of specific numbers. These letters are called [[unknown|unknowns]]. For example,
Algebra generalizes these operations by using variables or letters instead of specific numbers. These letters are called [[unknown]]s. For example,
:x + y = 11
:x + y = 11