Algebra Essay
Algebra
Algebra was invented by the Muslim mathematician Al-Khwarizmi in the book he wrote in 820. Algebra is the Arabic word (aljabr) for "equation", and the word "algorithm" comes from the author's name, Al-Khwarizmi. He is rightly known as "the father of Algebra
The roots of algebra can be traced to the ancient Babylonians, who developed an advanced arithmetical system with which they were able to do calculations in analgorithmic fashion. The Babylonians developed formulas to calculate solutions for problems typically solved today by using linear equations, quadratic equations, and indeterminate linear equations. By contrast, most Egyptians of this era, as well as Greek and Chinese mathematics in the 1st millennium BC, usually solved such equations by geometric methods, such as those described in the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, Euclid's Elements, and The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. The geometric work of the Greeks, typified in the Elements, provided the framework for generalizing formulae beyond the solution of particular problems into more general systems of stating and solving equations, though this would not be realized until the medieval Muslim mathematicians.
I was able to find nine different types of algebras. 1. commutative addition (a+b) = (b+a) 2. assosiative addition (a+b)+c = a+(b+c) 3. there exists a unique additive inverse for each element in the set (9 + -9 = 0)4. there exists a single additive identity for all elements (a+0=a) 5. commutative multiplication (ab = ba) 6. assosiative multiplication (ab)c = a(bc) 7. there exists a unique multiplicative inverse for each element (9 * 1/9 = 1) 8. there exists a single multiplicative identity for all elements (a * 1 = a) 9. multiplication is distributive accross addition (a(b+c) = ab+ac)
Learning algebra is much easier today because we have sites such as www.hippocampus.org/ , www.alleyoop.com/Algebra-Help , www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm, and www.algebra-class.com/.
Rondell
Algebra was invented by the Muslim mathematician Al-Khwarizmi in the book he wrote in 820. Algebra is the Arabic word (aljabr) for "equation", and the word "algorithm" comes from the author's name, Al-Khwarizmi. He is rightly known as "the father of Algebra
The roots of algebra can be traced to the ancient Babylonians, who developed an advanced arithmetical system with which they were able to do calculations in analgorithmic fashion. The Babylonians developed formulas to calculate solutions for problems typically solved today by using linear equations, quadratic equations, and indeterminate linear equations. By contrast, most Egyptians of this era, as well as Greek and Chinese mathematics in the 1st millennium BC, usually solved such equations by geometric methods, such as those described in the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, Euclid's Elements, and The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. The geometric work of the Greeks, typified in the Elements, provided the framework for generalizing formulae beyond the solution of particular problems into more general systems of stating and solving equations, though this would not be realized until the medieval Muslim mathematicians.
I was able to find nine different types of algebras. 1. commutative addition (a+b) = (b+a) 2. assosiative addition (a+b)+c = a+(b+c) 3. there exists a unique additive inverse for each element in the set (9 + -9 = 0)4. there exists a single additive identity for all elements (a+0=a) 5. commutative multiplication (ab = ba) 6. assosiative multiplication (ab)c = a(bc) 7. there exists a unique multiplicative inverse for each element (9 * 1/9 = 1) 8. there exists a single multiplicative identity for all elements (a * 1 = a) 9. multiplication is distributive accross addition (a(b+c) = ab+ac)
Learning algebra is much easier today because we have sites such as www.hippocampus.org/ , www.alleyoop.com/Algebra-Help , www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm, and www.algebra-class.com/.
Rondell