Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols. In algebra, those symbols (today called variables) represent unknown or generalized numbers.
Key Concepts:
- Variables: Symbols used to represent numbers.
- Expressions: Combinations of variables and numbers using operations (+, -, *, /).
- Equations: Statements that two expressions are equal.
Algebra is pivotal in understanding how to solve problems and is widely used in fields like engineering, science, medicine, and economics.