Algebra

INTRODUCTION
Using Symbols to Represent Variable Quantities
What is Algebra?
Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with symbols
and the rules for manipulating those symbols. A symbol is
something that represents or stands for something else.

Using Symbols to Represent Quantities

 Symbols are usually marks or characters such as the letters
x and y, used in algebra to represent quantities that are not
fixed.

Because the quantity could have any numerical value, it is

said to vary. Hence, algebraic symbols are known
as variables.

Most symbols used in algebra are derived from the Latin and
Greek alphabet. The Greek alphabet has been used to write
the Greek language since the 8th century BC.

The Latin alphabet, on the other hand, is the most widely

used alphabetic writing system in the world, and is the
standard script of the English language.

So the formula used to calculate the area of a circle, r2, has

one Greek letter, (pi) and a Latin letter, r.
Arithmetic vs Algebra

Algebra and arithmetic can be thought of as two different

forms of thinking about numerical issues.

Arithmetic is essentially the use of the four numerical

operationsaddition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
to calculate numerical values of various things.

 Arithmetic is the oldest part of mathematics. It has its origins
in Sumeria (primarily todays Iraq) around 10,000years ago.

The first numeralssymbols for numbersarose as a result

of trade and exchange.

Over time, those symbols acquired an abstract meaning of

their own which we today call numbers.

In other words, numbers first arose as money, and arithmetic

as a means to use money in trade.

How is algebra different from arithmetic?

Its a popular notion that algebra were invented to torment
students in school, but this is very far from the truth.


Algebra can essentially be considered as doing computations

similar to those of arithmetic but with non-numerical
mathematical objects.

In algebra, letters and other general symbols are used to

represent classes of unknown numbers and quantities in
formulae and equations.

Until the 19thcentury, algebra consisted only of the theory of

equations. In fact, the word algebra is derived from the
Arabic word al-jabr.

This word comes from a treatise written in the year 830 by

medieval Persian mathematician, Muhammad ibn Ms al-
Khwrizm.

The Arabic title of the written work, Ki tab al-multicar f isb

al-abr wa-l-muqbala, can be translated as The
Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and
Balancing.

Algebra does not involve finding numerical answers by

straightforward computing.

 Instead, it provides a way to solve problems by reasoning

logically to hone in on the answer. This is done by using
whatever information is available.

In other words, whereas in arithmetic, you work forwards

starting with numbers and computing with them to arrive at
an answer, in algebra, you work backwards, starting by
postulating an answer and reasoning logically to figure out
what it is.

DEFINITIONS
Learning algebra is a little like learning another language.

In fact, algebra is a simple language, used to create

mathematical models of real-world situations and to handle
problems that we can't solve using just arithmetic.
Rather than using words, algebra uses symbols to make
statements about things. In algebra, we often use letters to
represent numbers.

Since algebra uses the same symbols as arithmetic for
adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, you're already
familiar with the basic vocabulary.

In this lesson, you'll learn some important new vocabulary
words, and you'll see how to translate from plain English to
the "language" of algebra.

The first step in learning to "speak algebra" is learning the
definitions of the most commonly used words.

Algebraic Expressions

An algebraic expression is one or more algebraic terms

in a phrase. It can include variables, constants, and
 operating symbols, such as plus and minus signs. It's
only a phrase, not the whole sentence, so it doesn't
include an equal sign.

Algebraic expression:

3x2 + 2y + 7xy + 5

In an algebraic expression, terms are the elements separated by

the plus or minus signs. This example has four terms, 3x2, 2y,
7xy, and 5. Terms may consist of variables and coefficients, or
constants.

Numerical Expression
A mathematical statement including numbers and operations.

Ex: 5 + 3

Variables
In algebraic expressions, letters represent variables. These
letters are actually numbers in disguise. In this expression,
the variables are x and y. We call these letters "variables"
because the numbers they represent can varythat is, we
can substitute one or more numbers for the letters in the
expression.

Coefficients
Coefficients are the number part of the terms with
variables. In 3x2 + 2y + 7xy + 5, the coefficient of the first
term is 3. The coefficient of the second term is 2, and the
coefficient of the third term is 7.

If a term consists of only variables, its coefficient is 1.

Constants
Constants are the terms in the algebraic
expression that contain only numbers. That is, they're the
terms without variables. We call them constants because
their value never changes, since there are no variables in the
 term that can change its value. In the expression 7x2 + 3xy
+ 8 the constant term is "8."

Equation - A statement that two mathematical expressions

are equal. (Two side & equal sign)

Ex: 9 + 3 = b + 5 is an equation.

Evaluate - To find the value of a mathematical expression.

(Solve)

Expression - A variable or combination of variables,

numbers, and symbols that represents a mathematical
relationship. (One sided) 5n +8 is an expression.

Substitution - The replacement of the letters in an

algebraic expression with known values.

Ex: 5 + 3n n =2 5 +3(2) = 5 + 6 = 11