algebra

Definition

Elementary algebra: A system for representing and manipulating unknown quantities (variables) in equations.

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin algebra, from the Arabic word الْجَبْر (al-jabr, “reunion, resetting of broken parts”) in the title of al-Khwarizmi's influential work الْكِتَاب الْمُخْتَصَر فِي حِسَاب الْجَبْر وَالْمُقَابَلَة (al-kitāb al-muḵtaṣar fī ḥisāb al-jabr wa-l-muqābala, “The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing”).

Example Sentences

• "Also the rule of false position, with dyuers examples not only vulgar, but some appertaynyng to the rule of Algeber."
• "Let us conceive, then, of an Algebra in which the symbols x, y, z, &c. admit indifferently of the values 0 and 1, and of these values alone."
• "Fly ! Fly ! avaunt with that base cowardly gibbrish ; That Algebra of honour ; which had never Been nam'd, if all had equal courage—what?"

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