Algebra
The branch of mathematics that studies mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating these symbols to solve equations and express relationships.
Key Concepts
- Variables: Symbols (usually letters) that represent unknown values
- Expressions: Combinations of variables, numbers, and operations
- Equations: Statements that two expressions are equal
- Functions: Rules that assign outputs to inputs
- Polynomials: Expressions with variables raised to non-negative integer powers
Applications of Algebra
- Physics: Modeling physical phenomena with equations
- Economics: Analyzing cost, revenue, and profit functions
- Computer Science: Algorithms and computational modeling
- Engineering: Design and optimization of systems
- Finance: Calculating compound interest and investment growth