Category:Algebra

Al"ge*bra, n. Etym: [LL. algebra, fr. Ar. al-jebr reduction of parts to a whole, or fractions to whole numbers, fr. jabara to bind together, consolidate; al-jebr w'almuqabalah reduction and comparison (by equations): cf. F. algèbre, It. & Sp. algebra.]

1. (Math.)

Defn: That branch of mathematics which treats of the relations and properties of quantity by means of letters and other symbols. It is applicable to those relations that are true of every kind of magnitude.

2. A treatise on this science.

Algebra is the science of using letters to replace numbers in mathematical equations and simplifying mathematical equations by employing such means. It is also used to demonstrate mathematical concepts, such as theorems and properties.

Mathematical Properties
There are three major properties of addition and multiplication. They are the associative, commutative, and distributive poperties. The associative property allows three or more numbers to be added or multiplied in a different manner to produce the same result:

(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

The commutative property allows two or more numbers to be added or multiplied in any order with the same result:

a + b = b + a

The distributive property allows two or more numbers to be multiplied in an easier fashion:

15 x 12 = (5 x 12) + (10 x 12)

yyy(z + x) =