Algebra

Algebra is a branch of mathematics which studies structure and quantity. `The Father of
Algebra` is the Persian Al Khwarizmi, who discovered algorithm, and from whom the
word algebra is derived. lementary algebra is often taught in high school and gives an
introduction into the basic ideas of algebra! studying what ha""ens when one adds and
multi"ies numbers and how one can ma#e "olynomials and find their roots.
Algebra is much broader than arithmetic and can be generalized. $ather than wor#ing on
numbers, one can wor# over symbols or elements. Addition and multi"lication are loo#ed
at as general o"erations, and their "recise definitions lead to structures called grou"s,
rings and fields.
Together with geometry and analysis, algebra is one of the three main branches of
mathematics.
Contents
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' (lassification
) Algebras
* +istory
, $eferences
- .ee also
/ 0ternal lin#s
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Classification
Algebra may be roughly divided into the following categories!
elementary algebra, in which the "ro"erties of o"erations on the real number
system are recorded using symbols as 1"lace holders1 to denote constants and
variables, and the rules governing mathematical e0"ressions and equations
involving these symbols are studied 2note that this usually includes the sub3ect
matter of courses called intermediate algebra and college algebra45
abstract algebra, sometimes also called modern algebra, in which algebraic
structures such as grou"s, rings and fields are a0iomatically defined and
investigated5
linear algebra, in which the s"ecific "ro"erties of vector s"aces are studied
2including matrices45
universal algebra, in which "ro"erties common to all algebraic structures are
studied.
6n advanced studies, a0iomatic algebraic systems li#e grou"s, rings, fields, and algebras
over a field are investigated in the "resence of a natural geometric structure 2a to"ology4
which is com"atible with the algebraic structure. The list includes!
7ormed linear s"aces
8anach s"aces
+ilbert s"aces
8anach algebras
7ormed algebras
To"ological algebras
To"ological grou"s
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Algebras
The word algebra is also used for various algebraic structures!
algebra over a field
algebra over a set
8oolean algebra
sigma9algebra
F9algebra and F9coalgebra in category theory
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History
The origins of algebra can be traced to the cultures of the ancient gy"tians and
8abylonians who used an early ty"e of algebra to solve linear, quadratic, and
indeterminate equations more than *,::: years ago.
(irca ;:: 8(! 6ndian mathematician 8audhayana, in his Baudhayana Sulba
Sutra, finds geometric solutions of linear equations and quadratic equations of the
forms a0
)
< c and a0
)
= b0 < c.
(irca /:: 8(! 6ndian mathematician A"astamba, in his Apastamba Sulba Sutra,
solves the general linear equation.
(irca *:: 8(! >ree# mathematician uclid, who taught and died at Ale0andria in
gy"t, in 8oo# ) of his Elements addresses quadratic equations, although in a
strictly geometrical fashion.
(irca ':: 8(! Algebraic equations are treated in the (hinese mathematics boo#
?iuzhang suanshu, The Nine Chapters of Mathematical Art.
(irca '-: A@! >ree# mathematician +ero of Ale0andria treats algebraic
equations in three volumes of mathematics.
(irca )::! >ree# mathematician @io"hantus, often referred to as the 1father of
algebra1, writes his famous Arithmetica, a wor# featuring solutions of algebraic
equations and on the theory of numbers.
,A/! 6ndian mathematician Aryabhata, obtains whole number solutions to linear
equations by a method equivalent to the modern one. 6ndian mathematicians
recognized that quadratic equations have two roots, and included negative as well
as irrational roots. They also treated indeterminate quadratic equations.
/);! 6ndian mathematician 8rahmagu"ta, invents the method of solving
indeterminate equations of the second degree, and also gives rules for solving
linear and quadratic equations.
;):! The word algebra is derived from an o"eration described in the treatise first
written by Persian mathematician Al9Khwarizmi titled! Al-Jabr wa-al-Muabilah
meaning The boo! of summary concerning calculating by transposition and
reduction. The word al-"abr means #reunion#. Khwarizmi is often considered as
the 1father of modern algebra1. Buch of KhwarizmiCs wor#s on reduction was
included in the boo# and added to many methods we have in Algebra now.
''',! 6ndian mathematician 8has#ara 66, who wrote the te0t Bi"aganita 2algebra4,
was the first to recognize that a "ositive number has two square roots.
'):)! Algebra was introduced to uro"e largely through the wor# of Deonardo
Fibonacci of Pisa in his wor# $iber Abaci .
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References
Eiauddin .ardar, ?erry $avetz, and 8orin Fan Doon, %ntroducing Mathematics
2Totem 8oo#s, 'GGG4.
@onald $. +ill, %slamic Science and Engineering 2dinburgh Hniversity Press,
'GG,4.
>eorge >heverghese ?ose"h, The Crest of the &eacoc! ' The Non-European (oots
of Mathematics 2Princeton Hniversity Press, ):::4.
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See also
Ii#iboo#s has more about this sub3ect!
Algebra
Fundamental theorem of algebra 2which is really a theorem of mathematical
analysis, not of algebra4
@io"hantus, 1father of algebra1
Bohammed al9Khwarizmi, also #nown as 1father of modern algebra1. %'&
(om"uter algebra system
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External links
0"lanation of 8asic To"ics
."ar#notesC $eview of Algebra 6 and 66
)nderstanding Algebra* An online algebra te0t by ?ames I. 8rennan.
Algebra99the basic ideas First of / "arts in a short course on basic algebra at the
high school level.
+ighlights in the history of algebra
$etrieved from 1htt"!JJen.wi#i"edia.orgJwi#iJAlgebra1