Algebra for Beginners

The word algebra originated from Arabic/Farsi "Al Jabr" meaning to restore or to unite broken pieces. Whats even more interesting is this word was commonly associated with barber shops, esp the ones with the rotating red-white spiral sign on the outside of the shop. The significance of the red-white is the blood and bones, and it is the place for travelers to seek treatment, hence to restore ones condition back to normal after a grueling trip.

In algebra, there is a table. Think that the numbers you put on each side weigh something. #1 weighs 1 pound. So on so forth.. That way, if you add 4 to one side, that side will tip. You want it to be equal. So, whatever you do to one side, you have to do it to the other side as well. You see, in algebra, there is an x variable. You want to find out what that variable equals. So, you have to get rid of all the numbers. For example equations, lets start with 5x=20. What does "x" equal? This is probabably something that you could do in your head. But for the time bieng, lets do it the algebraic way. So, you want to be left with what x equals. You want to get rid of the 5. 5x means 5 times x. So, a way to get the 5 out of one side is to divide. Now remember, whatever you do to one side, you do to the other. Now you have: 5/5x=20/5. Figure it out 5/5=1. On the left side, you have 1x which is equal to x. On the right side you have 20/5=4. Put both sides togather, and you have x=4 Now you want to do the check. First rewrite the problem. 5x=20. Then plug in you variable. x=4. So, 5(4)=20? 5*4=20! So on one side you have 20, and on the other side you have 20...Does 20=20? Yes! Now you can solve everyday solutions, and problems using variables. ;) :)