History of Algebra

Introduction

Algebra is a crucial element of mathematics that enables one to find out and understand something. It refers to several components of ideas and methods of mathematics that are related to construction of symbols formally or obtaining the answer to an equation. It makes use of letters to act as numbers in equations and formulas. The word algebra based on the Arabic language literally implies the re-joining of the parts that are separated (Dieudonné 6).

The history of algebra dates back in early Babylon and Egypt where people learned to find solutions to the problems which today are solved by use of equations. This earliest method of finding solutions to problems later lived in early Islamic region, where it was al- jabru (an Arab word meaning restoration). The 9^th century saw a mathematician from Egypt known as Abu Kamil stated, proved ordinary rules and characters of algebra, and solved technical problems (Dieudonné 12). Algebraic expressions were written by early civilizations by use of abbreviations only, but Islamic experts of mathematics later expressed high supremacies of the unidentified and developed ordinary polynomials algebra, which involved multiplication, division, and obtaining polynomials square roots and skill of binomial theorem.

In the ancient 13^th century, a mathematician expert from Italy, Leornardo Fibonacci, obtained a near approximation to solving the equation x³+2²+cx=d, and he had probably made use of successive technique, an Arab method, because he had visited Islamic region (Sesiano 24). Early 16^th century saw Italian experts of mathematics among them Gerolamo Cardano find solutions to the overall cubic equations taking into account a constant being in the equation. A useful finding in algebra five centuries ago was the development of the unknown symbols. German expert of mathematics, Gauss, who indicated that each polynomial equation had one, published work continued from 1700 to 1800 on the principles of equations and in 1799, a proof or more root in the technical plane (Sesiano 26).

It was until 19^th century when Arab mathematician al-Kwarizmi put down to paper the first algebras of Arab containing examples and proofs as he had solved linear and quadratic equations void of symbols of algebra, zero and negative values. He explained diverse types of equations. After Hammilton’s extension of complex arithmetic values to quaternions, Hermann, a German expert, started scrutinizing vectors, and since that time modern algebra kept developing, as useful new outcomes have been identified and concept of algebra was used in entirely mathematics branches and majority of sciences (Sesiano 27).

Importance of Algebra to us Today

Algebra has seen much application in various fields of life. It can enable employees to progress in any training since they will be good in the concepts letters and symbols that are used to represent quantities. It has also been applied in everyday life, such as determining a distance when driving a car or working out a volume of a container (Downey 5). Also, algebra has assisted in analyzing things like costs, profit or price in a given venture since margins ought to be set and calculations performed to do any planning and analysis strategically.

In addition, algebra has been used in entering data, for instance, in working with computer spreadsheets during designing and planning. This concept has been also used in organizations and companies in determining their annual budget and expenditures.  Furthermore, it has been applied in constructions of infrastructure like buildings as it enables formulations of various measurements in proper ratios (Downey 7). Unconsciously, we utilize the concept of algebra in everyday life, for example, when we go for shopping and contrast several pricing of different products as per their quantity.

Various disciplines of physics such as mechanics and electronics have also utilized this concept. Police have also used the skills of algebra in investigating traffic accidents by determining the velocity of vehicles involved (Sesiano 5). Without knowledge of algebra, a person is kept from doing many jobs and may end up relying on others to perform things.

Works Cited

DieudonneÌ, Jean. A History Of Algebraic And Differential Topology, 1900-1960. Boston, Mass.: Birkhäuser, 2009. Print.

Downey, Tika. How The Arabs Invented Algebra. New York: PowerKids Press, 2004. Print.

Sesiano, Jacques. An Introduction To The History Of Algebra. Providence, R.I.: American Mathematical Society, 2009. Print.