Algebra Basics

'Algebra' the word is derived from the name of book by a Persian Mathematician. (Book was named: Al-Kitab al-Jabr wa-l-Muqabala).

Algebra is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of structure, relation and quantity. Algebra introduced the idea of problem solving using 'variables' in the field of mathematics. After it was accepted universally, algebra today considered as one of the main branches of mathematics along with, geometry and number theory.

Algebra was born out of experiences from real life instances where the need was found to calculate one or more unknown quantities from a few known or calculated ones.

Algebra basics are a part of the curriculum of Secondary Education in India, where kids are taught the concept of variables for problem solving. The basics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentage calculation with variables, and later stages include introduction of the concept of polynomials (more that one degree of variables), their factorization and determination of roots.

Linear equations, intermediate linear equations, quadratic equations are all classifications of Algebra. Before the concept of algebra was introduced, this class of problems was solved using complex methods in advanced geometry. Since its introduction many mathematicians all over the world have been studying this technique and till date many speculations of its origin are unconfirmed.

Initially, only linear equations were used where there was only a single value to be calculated and all the other values related to it were known. For example, if I had Rs.100 and I spent Rs.75, the amount of money left with me is a single unknown quantity and can be easily derived using linear equation method as
75 + x =100 => x=25.
Later, it was understood that only such simple calculations would not formulate the essence of calculation of mathematics and the idea of more than one unknown quantity was introduced with experiences from real life. We might have some known values but the calculation of unknown values cannot always be obvious. Furthermore, there are times when two unknown quantities are dependant on each other. Such factors made mathematics complicated and fearful. But the introduction of algebra has simplified problem solving approach so much that very complex problems can now be solved within minutes (or even less).

Surprisingly, many students are scared of algebra because it includes fictitious quantities. That's kinda true! Algebra does emphasize on fictitious or imaginary data. But, the data is not in numbers. Algebra imagines the unknown quantity to be something, any variable, say 'x' or 'y' or 'z' etc. and the final value is calculated after series of calculation and reasoning.

Starting algebra from the basics and then moving to the complex variations would be better in case you're a learner and scared of mathematics. After all, we all aim at reducing our problems, don't we?

Happy problem-solving!

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