Algebra

Introduction of Algebra

Algebra  is one of the broad parts of mathematics, together with number theory, geometry and analysis. In its most general form, algebra is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating these symbols it is a unifying thread of almost all of mathematics.

ALGEBRA EXAMPLE

Solving an equation:

2x+3=x+15

Why Use a Letter?

	Because:
	it is easier to write "x" than drawing empty boxes (and easier to say "x" than "the empty box").
	if there are several empty boxes (several "unknowns") we can use a different letter for each one.

So x is simply better than having an empty box. We aren't trying to make words with it!

And it doesn't have to be x, it could be y or w ... or any letter or symbol we like.

How to Solve

Algebra is just like a puzzle where we start with something like "x − 2 = 4" and we want to end up with something like "x = 6".

But instead of saying "obviously x=6", use this neat step-by-step approach:

• Work out what to remove to get "x = ..."
• Remove it by doing the opposite (adding is the opposite of subtracting)
• Do that to both sides

Here is an example:

We want to remove the "-2"	To remove it, do the opposite, in this case add 2:	Do it to both sides:	Which is ...	Solved!