Algebra Algebra Introduction Algebra is a branch of mathematics that involves substituting letters to represent variables for arithmetic calculations. Like arithmetic, algebra uses adding, subtracting, dividing, exponents, and roots. The main difference between the two is that algebra allows you to generalize an equation. For example, it is easier to teach someone the distributive property of multiplication if you use algebra, since letters can be used to represent possible numbers.
Problem solving is also easier through algebra, since each unknown can be substituted with a letter.
The equation can then be figured out in many ways, which I will explain later on. History Algebra originated in Babylon, China, and Egypt. The mathematicians of those countries were able to figure out linear, indeterminate, and quadratic equations, using rhetorical algebra, which uses words instead of symbols. In addition, much of what is taught in algebra today was used by the Babylonians. In the first century, Hero of Alexandria, a Greek mathematician, continued to work with algebra.