CHAPTER 1

ALGEBRA - NUMBER SYSTEM

At the end of this Chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Define Algebra and its History
2. Identify different function of numbers.
3. Represent real numbers using decimal system
4. Define proper, improper and mixed fractions
5. Compare the value of decimals and fractions
ALGEBRA
Algebra – a branch of mathematics that uses numbers and letters that represent numbers. The
generalization of arithmetic according to the rules of arithmetic.
“Algebra” is derived from Arabic word “al-jabr” literally meaning "reunion of broken parts – is about solving
equations.

History of Algebra
- Egyptian Algebra
• Earliest finding from the Rhind Papyrus – written approx. 1650 B.C. evidence to Solve algebra
problems equivalent to linear equations and 1 unknown

- Babylonian Algebra
• Babylonians were more advanced than Egyptians. Like Egyptians, algebra was also rhetorical, Could
solve quadratic equations

- Greek Algebra
• The Greeks originally learned algebra from Egypt as indicated in their writings of the 6 th century BCE.
Later they learned Mesopotamian geometric algebra from the Persians. The culmination of Greek
algebra is the work of Diophantus in the 3 rd century CE.
• Diophantus – Greek mathematician from Alexandria and Often considered the “father of Algebra”
Wrote series of books “Arithmetica” – features work on solutions of algebraic equations to theory of
numbers, 189 problems in “Arithmetica” were all solved by a different method. Some of his writings
from this series are still lost. No general method to his solutions. Accepted only positive rational roots.

- Hindu Algebra
• Records in mathematics dates back to approx. 800 B.C. Most mathematics was motivated by
astronomy & astrology. Introduced negative numbers to represent debt. First to recognize that
quadratic equations have two roots. Known for invention of decimal system which we use today.

- Arabic Algebra
 Al-Khwarizmi wrote “al-jabr w’al-muqabala” translation “restoration and compensation”(source of the
word algebra – mistranslation from ‘Al-jabr’ to Latin ‘Algebra’) Quadratic equations, practical
geometry, simple linear equations, and application of mathematics to solve inheritance problems

- European Algebra
• Algebra was still largely rhetorical, slightly syncopated, Solution to cubic and quadratic equations
Negative numbers were known, but not fully accepted, No one could solve 5 th degree equation,
Algebraists were called “cossists” and algebra was called “cossic art”

16th Century
- Viete (1540-1603) – lawyer, French mathematician, astronomer, & advisor to King Henri III & IV •
Often called the father of “modern algebra”Focused on algebraic equations in his mathematical writings
Introduced letters for both constants and unknowns. First algebraic notations were introduced in his
book “In artem analyticam isagoge”Translates to “Introduction to the analytic art”

Algebra is divided into two types:

• Classical algebra – equation solving
• Abstract/Modern algebra – study of groups
• Classical algebra has been developed over a period of 4,000 years, while abstract algebra has only
appeared in the last 200 years.

Real Number System

Real Number

Irrational Number (H)

Real Number (Q)

Integers (Z) Non-

Integers

Natural Numbers
Whole Numbers
Positive (n)
Zero
Negative Numbers
Counting Numbers or Natural Numbers – are numbers which are 1, 2, 3….
Whole Numbers – are counting numbers without decimal points
Integers – are counting numbers, their negatives and zeros. This set of numbers are often denoted by z
such as … -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 and so on…
Rational Numbers- is a number that can be expressed as a quotient ����, b≠0 of two integers. In
decimal form, rational numbers either terminate or repeat. Integers are written as quotient of the
integer and 1, thus every integer is a rational numbers.
Irrational numbers – are numbers that be written in fractional form. This includes non terminating an non
repeating decimals.

Examples: √4,√5, ��, and 0.0010110…

Real Numbers – consists of both set of rational and irrational numbers.
Properties of Real Numbers:
1. Commutative Property of Addition
2. Commutative Property of Multiplication
3. Associative Property of Addition
4. Associative Property of Multiplication
5. Distributive Property
6. Existence of Additive Identity
7. Existence of Multiplicative Identity
8. Existence of Additive Inverse
9. Existence of Multiplicative Inverse

FRACTIONS: Proper, Improper and Mixed Fractions

Exercise 1: Show how the improper fractions below converted to mixed faction
ALGEBRA BASIC OPERATIONS:
Algebra is that part of mathematics in which numeral relationships and properties are explored by general s
ymbols.
For example, the area of a square is found by multiplying the length by the width; this is algebraically expre
ssed as Z = lwwhere Z represents the area, l the length and b the breadth. The basic arithmetic laws are
ge neralised in algebra. . Let x, y, z and d represents any four numbers.
I. x+(y+z) = (x+y)+z
II. x(yz) = (xy)+z
III. x+y=y+x
IV. xy=yx
V. x(y+z)=xy+xz
VI. ��+��
�� ��
��= ��+ ��
VII. (w+x)(y+z)=wy+wz+xy+xz