algebra

American  

[al-juh-bruh] / ˈæl dʒə brə /

noun

1. the branch of mathematics that deals with general statements of relations, utilizing letters and other symbols to represent specific sets of numbers, values, vectors, etc., in the description of such relations.

2. any of several algebraic systems, especially a ring in which elements can be multiplied by real or complex numbers linear algebra as well as by other elements of the ring.

3. any special system of notation adapted to the study of a special system of relationship.

   algebra of classes.

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algebra British  

/ ˌældʒɪˈbreɪɪst, ˈældʒɪbrə /

noun

1. a branch of mathematics in which arithmetical operations and relationships are generalized by using alphabetic symbols to represent unknown numbers or members of specified sets of numbers

2. the branch of mathematics dealing with more abstract formal structures, such as sets, groups, etc

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algebra Scientific  

/ ăl′jə-brə /

1. A branch of mathematics in which symbols, usually letters of the alphabet, represent numbers or quantities and express general relationships that hold for all members of a specified set.

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Other Word Forms

• algebraist noun
• prealgebra noun

Etymology

Origin of algebra

1535–45; < Medieval Latin < Arabic al-jabr literally, restoration

Explanation

If the math equation you're doing has letters or other symbols that stand for numbers, you're likely doing algebra. You probably took your first algebra class early in your high school years. The noun algebra comes from Arabic word al jebr, meaning "reunion of broken parts," which appeared in the title of mathematician al-Khwarizmi's famous book on equations. In algebra you use basic arithmetic like addition and subtraction, but the quantities you're working with are often unknown — that's why they're represented by letters. You might remember solving algebra equations that look like this: a(b + c) = ab + ac. The letters a, b, and c all represent a number.

Example Sentences

Boole translated logic into algebra—with an algebra of logic, or Boolean algebra—transforming logic from a philosophical, rule-based system into a mathematical, symbolic one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Feynman even helped him with his algebra homework, he recalled.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2025

One key operation in a deep neural network involves the use of linear algebra to perform matrix multiplication, which transforms data as it is passed from layer to layer.

From Science Daily • Dec. 2, 2024

"Instead of sitting there looking at the board trying to solve the algebra problem, you're sitting thinking, when I get home, what am I going to eat?"

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2024

Maybe he could make sense of the algebra problems his teacher had assigned.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• calculation
• calculus
• geometry
• math