What is Algebra?

Question

What is Algebra?

Answer 1

Al-ge-bra

–noun 1. the branch of mathematics that deals with general statements of relations, utilizing letters and other symbols to represent specific sets of numbers, values, vectors, etc., in the description of such relations.

2. any of several algebraic systems, esp. a ring in which elements can be multiplied by real or complex numbers (linear algebra) as well as by other elements of the ring.

3. any special system of notation adapted to the study of a special system of relationship: algebra of classes.



Hope this aids you in any questions you might have about algebra.

Answer 2

Cambridge Advanced Dictionary

"Algebra: Noun. A part of mathematics in which signs and letters represent numbers."



Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Maths

"Algebra is a branch of mathematicsin which letters and symbols are used to express numbers and the relationships between them. Letters from the beginning of the alphabet are used to represent known values, and letters from the end of the alphabet are used to represent unknown values."



Example:



a*(b+z)=12 a=2 b=5 What is c?



Replacing the letters with numbers result in:

2*(5+z)=12

We just have to find out what number can add with 5, then doubling the result would equal 12. Ideally this would be 1.

2*(5+1)=12

Add 5 with 1.

2*6=12

Makes sense, doesn't it? So, c=1.



Second Example:



e5+d6=y e=5 d=7



Nothing telling you what to do eh? Replacing letters. if you have e5, in means e multiplied by 5 in shorthand. That y at the end means you should find that out.

(5*5)+(7*6)=?

Multiplying the stuff in paretheses (brackets).

25+42=?

Simple addition.

25+42=67

So y=67.



Third Example:



fg=w f=5 g=25

Eeek! a long line of letters! Keep calm, don't panic, and just replace numbers, and you'll end up with:

525=w

Huh? Well, just like the e5, fg means f multiplied by g in shorthand, so it should be:

5*25=w

Well, multiplication is easy isn't it? Just treat it as a normal sum.

5*25=125

or

5*25=w=125

Answer 3

Basically algebra is the substitution of letters in place of numbers, to enable you to work out the numbers that you need.

For example, if you have £20, and want to buy as many bars of chocolate at 50p each as you can, you would use algebra - 2000=50x, ie x=40,so you could buy 40 bars of chocolate.

Obviously, things get a lot more complicated than this, but thats the basic idea.

Answer 4

Algebra

Algebra is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of structure, relation, and quantity. The name is derived from the treatise written by the Persian mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and geographer, Muhammad bin Mūsā al-Khwārizmī titled Kitab al-Jabr wa-l-Muqabala (meaning "The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing"), which provided symbolic operations for the systematic solution of linear and quadratic equations, and recognized algebra as an independent discipline. Al-Khwarizimi's book made its way to Europe and was translated into Latin as Liber algebrae et almucabala.

Answer 5

Abstract algebra is the subject area of mathematics that studies algebraic structures, such as groups, rings, fields, modules, vector spaces, and algebras. Most contemporary authors simply write algebra instead of abstract algebra.



The term abstract algebra now refers to the study of all algebraic structures, as distinct from the elementary algebra ordinarily taught to children, which teaches the correct rules for manipulating formulas and algebraic expressions involving real and complex numbers, and unknowns. Elementary algebra can be taken as an informal introduction to the structures known as the real field and commutative algebra.



Contemporary mathematics and mathematical physics make intensive use of abstract algebra; for example, theoretical physics draws on Lie algebras. Subject areas such as algebraic number theory, algebraic topology, and algebraic geometry apply algebraic methods to other areas of mathematics. Representation theory, roughly speaking, takes the 'abstract' out of 'abstract algebra', studying the concrete side of a given structure; see model theory.



Two mathematical subject areas that study the properties of algebraic structures viewed as a whole are universal algebra and category theory. Algebraic structures, together with the associated homomorphisms, form categories. Category theory is a powerful formalism for studying and comparing different algebraic structures.

Answer 6

well it all started when some stupid dork got bored and had NO life so the sat down and wrote / created a book not a reading book , no because who wants to just read lets do work !! so the created math that could be read due to adding in counfusing stupid letters w/ the numbers now i hear they are torchering all the kids that have actual live to do algebra hmwk in hope that the kids with lives will work on it for so long because its so freekin hard that they will NOT have lives anymore and stop doing anything but w/e that is soo factuall that i cant belive it came from personal experience

Answer 7

Algebra is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of structure, relation, and quantity. The name is derived from the treatise written by the Persian[1] mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and geographer, Muhammad bin Mūsā al-Khwārizmī titled Kitab al-Jabr wa-l-Muqabala (meaning "The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing"), which provided symbolic operations for the systematic solution of linear and quadratic equations, and recognized algebra as an independent discipline. Al-Khwarizimi's book made its way to Europe and was translated into Latin as Liber algebrae et almucabala.



Together with geometry, analysis, combinatorics, and number theory, algebra is one of the main branches of mathematics. Elementary algebra is often part of the curriculum in secondary education and provides an introduction to the basic ideas of algebra, including effects of adding and multiplying numbers, the concept of variables, definition of polynomials, along with factorization and determining their roots.



Algebra is much broader than elementary algebra and can be generalized. In addition to working directly with numbers, algebra covers working with symbols, variables, and set elements. Addition and multiplication are viewed as general operations, and their precise definitions lead to structures such as groups, rings and fields.

Answer 8

Algebra is a branch of mathematics in which symbols, usually letters of the alphabet, represent numbers or members of a specified set and are used to represent quantities and to express general relationships that hold for all members of the set.

Answer 9

Algebra is a variable number wich allows you to carry on a equation wich, if the number is not known, you become stuck on. it is the basic equation of any maths. eg. 1+2. that in algebra would be a+b as you may not have known the numbers beforehand

Answer 10

Algebra is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of structure, relation, and quantity. The name is derived from the treatise written by the Persian[1] mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and geographer, Muhammad bin Mūsā al-Khwārizmī titled Kitab al-Jabr wa-l-Muqabala (meaning "The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing"), which provided symbolic operations for the systematic solution of linear and quadratic equations, and recognized algebra as an independent discipline. Al-Khwarizimi's book made its way to Europe and was translated into Latin as Liber algebrae et almucabala.



Together with geometry, analysis, combinatorics, and number theory, algebra is one of the main branches of mathematics. Elementary algebra is often part of the curriculum in secondary education and provides an introduction to the basic ideas of algebra, including effects of adding and multiplying numbers, the concept of variables, definition of polynomials, along with factorization and determining their roots.



Algebra is much broader than elementary algebra and can be generalized. In addition to working directly with numbers, algebra covers working with symbols, variables, and set elements. Addition and multiplication are viewed as general operations, and their precise definitions lead to structures such as groups, rings and fields.



Ooooppps you beat me to it Red

Answer 11

Algebra is a generalization of the operations of arithmetic. One or more of the numbers are replaced by letters and the operations are performing arithmetic on the letters as if they were numbers



For example, if you are asked to solve the following equation for x



2x + 5y = 4



You subtract 5y from both sides,



2x + 5y - 5y = 4 - 5y



treating 5y as a number, but whose value is not determined at this time



2x = 4 - 5y



then you divide both sides by 2



2x/2 = x = (4 - 5y)/2



Algebra allows you to concentrate on the properties of the equation rather than any specific numbers

Answer 12

Hello,

get Vector Magic for free here http://bit.ly/1k3saYo

Nice free solution

Answer 13

Algebra is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of structure, relation, and quantity.

Answer 14

Maths like X2x7

It Really Confused me at School

Answer 15

algebra is when numbers are substituted for letters. it is easier to prove something when you use algebra

Answer 16

you can try and get bets grades YOU can try 1 FREE session

yes you can take home work help also yes they will help you sure and the provide u session This is the link of there live support http://messenger.providesupport.com/messenger/stepsedu.html?ps_s=Ni9yBsTEVXjf&ps_mht=true and if u want math help they can sure help you just click on this and fill ur name and in question Write i want free demo as kanpreesays

Answer 17

where numbers are replaced with letters and you have to work out what the letter means in number terms.



I basically think its stupid and there's no point. But i guess it gets your brain thinking.

Answer 18

its a type of mathamatics where you multiply letters by numbers to get a combined answer of letter(s) and number(s) and was invented by the famous german/american/swiss professer Albert Einstein. It is also very stupid

Answer 19

it a pointless mathematic calculation designed to confuse kids in school, when anyone leaves school they all say what the fu*k was that for, i'm nearly 40 and i have never heard of anyone who used it once they left school, but then i don't know anyone who works for NASA !

Answer 20

Algebra = A FORM OF TORTURE

Answer 21

its when numbers are replaced with letters.



for example. a+2=5

therefore a=3

Answer 22

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebra

Answer 23

a waste of time that forces millions of school kids to get there head around when they will never need to know it again

Answer 24

it's math where you use a letter instead of a number

Answer 25

its a type of math were you use variable instead of numbers

Answer 26

for some num,bers you use letters you will lern in ur lessons

Answer 27

lots of missing numbers.

Answer 28

alot of numbers n stuff

Answer 29

it is some kind of cheese...i think







paul is alive freaks

Answer 30

umm its math created by the greeks.....get good?

Answer 31

it is is used solve unknown quanties

Answer 32

a head bust......

Answer 33

basic math...?

Answer 34

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebra



http://www.mathleague.com/help/algebra/algebra.htm



http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/introduction.html



http://www.krysstal.com/algebra.html



http://www.freemathhelp.com/introduction-to-algebra.html

Answer 35

stupid invention