-
The Ancient Babylonians developed the first Classical algebra, which is similar system to our algebra. They were able to solve for unknown quantities (variables) and had formulas and equations, many advanced civilizations solved such problems geometrically because it was more visual. This is similar to the idea of graphing two linear equations to see where they intersect rather than directly solving for the solution
-
Al Khwarizmi developed methods for balancing and reducing algebraic equations and introduced algorithms, which are mathematical operations or rules.
-
The Chinese began to publish their own algebra writings
-
Diophantus wrote 13 books entitled 'Arithmetica', which contain problems and solutions that have furthered algebraic notation.
-
Euclid is regarded as the "father of geometry". His Elements is the most successful textbook in the history of mathematics.
-
The word “Algebra” literally means the re-union of broken parts based on the origins of Arabic language. It was first used around 800 BCE by Arabic scholars, and is still in our language today.
-
Al-Samawal defines algebra as it is concerned with operating on unknowns using all the arithmetical tools, in the same way as the arithmetician operates on the known.
-
Symbols were used to represent unknown quantities. (Variables) At this point, equations look most similar to what we see in modern algebra.
-
German mathematician Carl Friederich Gauss proves the fundamental theorem of algebra.
-
Modern Algebra has come into existence much more recently, emerging over the past 200 years.