PRELIMINARIES

Algebra provides a generalization of arithmetic by using symbols, usually letters, to represent numbers.

For example, it is obviously true that

2 + 3 = 3 + 2

This arithmetic statement can be generalized using algebra to

x + y = y + x

where x and y can be any number.

*Algebra has been studied for many centuries.

HISTORY OF ALGEBRA

Egyption & Babylonian Algebra