Black Voice News Online - Africans Invented Arithmetic and Algebra

The earliest treatise on algebra is the Egyptian Rhind Papyrus (c.1700 BC). But in c.3000 BC Egyptians called it "aha Calculus" because "Aha," "Ahe," or "Ahau" was the name of the second pharaoh of the first dynasty. Meaning mass, quantity, or heap (a pile of many things), it was used as an abstract term for the unknown in an equation. Originally, the word "algebra"-("al" "from Egypt"--"al-Kemit")--meant the reuniting of broken parts and was later defined by the Arabs as "restoration", including "bone setting". Note that Yin and Yang are also about the union of separate parts.

Joseph A. Bailey, II M.D., F.A.C.S.

Now, algebra deals with math structures-the solution of equations and the general relations among numbers. It embraces calculus, logic, theories of numbers, equations, functions, and their combinations. Both arithmetic and algebra are branches of mathematics and both are ways of figuring. Figuring involves discovering answers (e.g. establishing values) to problems using the amount or value given in numbers, using unknown numbers, or using letters or symbols standing for quantities. A letter or symbol for any number is called a Variable. Quantities of matter have size, weight, number, mass, height, depth, width, length, capacity, extent, endurance, time duration, and volume. They can be counted, weighed, and measured geometrically (e.g. lines, curves, angles)-and these may be added to or lessened.

Arithmetic ("the science of numbers"; "the art of calculation") applies numbers to answer questions such as "how many?" -how much?" --and how far?" Algebra is the next step up and features letter or symbol "shorthand" in expressing quantities. With arithmetic the simple job of adding can be expressed as 3+4=7 or three + four = seven. However, in algebra the same could be written T + F = S-i.e. using the first letters of the words to stand for the numbers. This is called an Equation-- a statement that two things are equal. Equations have many governing rules-rules which allow discovering unknown numbers that appear in an equation with known numbers-and rules which make calculation with big numbers just as easy as calculation with small numbers. For example, "x" (or any other letter of the alphabet) stands for an unknown quantity. As in arithmetic, addition is shown by + and subtraction is shown by -. When you put one letter over the other--like a/b-- you are dividing b into a. Putting two symbols together-- as ab-means to multiply them. In algebra the multiplication sign is not used when two symbols are placed side by side. T x F is written TF and 3 x T is written 3T.

Although certain symbols, marks, and letters customarily represent quantities and operations, seldom would the letters T, F, and S (see examples above) be used. Usually the early letters of the alphabet-a, b, c, etc.-are applied to stand for constants (fixed or known numbers) and the late letters-x, y, z-to stand for variables. Variables are quantities that may have various values or that are unknown. The letter "n" is used to mean "any given (or known) number". A Power of a number is the product or result you get when you multiply the number by itself, one or more times. It is expressed by an Exponent (a small number written after and higher than the number). When you read it aloud as "three squared," this means 3 x 3 =9; or "two to the fifth power is 2x2x2x2x2 or 32. Roots, the opposite of a power, must be multiplied by itself to produce a given number. The cube root (using a number three times as a factor-4x4x4) of 64 is 4. A Series is a group of numbers related by some rule. In an arithmetic series-1, 4, 7, 10-a constant number (here, 3) is added to each term to give the next. Africans found a place for arithmetic and algebra during their on-going activities on such vast construction projects-- as in building temples, pyramids, irrigation works, and obelisks.

Website: www.jablifeskills.com

Joseph A. Bailey, II, M.D.

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