What is the Historical Background of Algebra?

This is the most lucid and comprehensive definition of Algebra given by John Ray. Algebra is the study of mathematical operations and its manipulation through linear and quadratic equations by using variables and co-efficient.

Etymology of Algebra is that this word has come from the Arabic language “Al-Jabr” (restoration) from the title of the book “ Ilm -al –Jabr- wa’l mukabla”by Musa al Khwarizmi,a famous mathematician. This word entered to English in the fifteenth century, and its actual and original meaning is the surgery to repair the broken or damaged bones. The first mathematical meaning was manipulated in 16^th century.

Algebra

This is the branch of mathematics which uses general symbols and letters to represent mathematical numbers and quantities. Algebra is also the important part of the academic curriculum around the world and every student has to learn some basic knowledge about Algebra. Students feel it difficult some times and sometimes easy.it depends on their mental levels.

To teach Algebra at this level is for sharpening the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of students because it makes students identify and use appropriate formulas while solving an algebraic expression or equation. It makes them simplify the complex structures of the question into their simplest form.  Some students find it difficult because they try to memorize the techniques to solve any equation but in algebra one should be a good thinker as well as patient to get the right answer.

The question here which frequently comes in students’ mind that what is the use of Algebra in our daily life that if we study for get literate or to get knowledge about this world for improvement in our life then why we have to learn to solve the complex structures of coefficients and variables from the very beginning of our elementary school education? I have surveyed and searched for the answer to this question and by so much pondering on reasoning I have found its answer that the first reason for its importance in our daily life is; Algebra is the important branch of mathematics and its an essential subject to do calculations in our life either it is about time or counting the money for our domestic life. 

Secondly, Algebra provokes the critical skills in an individual it makes one to activate the maximum part of the brain and to make one a better decision maker and thinker as well. Thirdly it also improves the analytical  skills of a person as we are living in this world which is full of mysteries and without analyzing and reasoning skills we can’t be successful in our lives, so Algebra makes students to analyze the complex structures of a question and the right formulas to implement so it definitely improves one’s analyzing skills. The fourth reason is that Algebra is also important in this era of modern technology where everything has to been organized in such a technical manner so for data entry requirements it is mandatory to learn. Last but not the least is that for our professional needs it is much required to write mathematical assignments to inculcate formulas in it for their professional view.