Algebra
Algebra was used first by the Babylonians to derive solutions for unknown variables. The phrase algebra has been taken from the Arabic text Al-Jabr which basically means ‘reunion’. This was taken from the lengthy compilation on algebra by Muhammad ibn Musa al-khwarizmi in 820.
Algebra is one of the basic branches of mathematics and is concerned with form, quantity and their relationship. The general categories of algebra are elementary algebra, abstract algebra, and linear algebra.
Elementary algebra is what current day students are taught at ground root level in schools. Under this, relationships are equated in the form of equations using symbols referred to as variables. These symbols denote a generality or a relationship and once it has been defined, further study can be done on the properties of the number system. Also elementary algebra can be used to derive numerical values in polynomial relationships by changing one or more variable to see its effect on other variables.
Abstract algebra on the other hand using while using the same basic principles encompasses a wider range of relationships, numbers, variables, elements and functions. This leads to group structures, not to mention the ring and field structures.
