Algebra is the branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating them to represent quantities and relationships.
Algebra uses letters (variables) to represent unknown values, allowing the formulation of equations and the study of structures, relations, and functions. It bridges arithmetic and higher mathematics. Key concepts include variables, expressions, equations, polynomials, and functions. Algebra is essential for solving real-world problems in science, engineering, economics, and technology.
The word "algebra" comes from the Arabic word "al-jabr" meaning "reunion of broken parts," from the title of mathematician al-Khwarizmi's book "The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing" (820 CE). Ancient Babylonian and Greek mathematicians used algebraic methods. Modern symbolic algebra was developed by François Viète in the 16th century, with further contributions from René Descartes and Isaac Newton.