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algebra

algebra

77 4.0
A part of math that uses letters to stand for numbers and rules for doing calculations
  • noun
  • /ˈæl.dʒə.brə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : álgebra
  • All you have to do is pass algebra.
  • basic algebra
  • algebra class
  • algebra course

Yeah, like algebra or math or science, Right.

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Examples

  • Many students struggle to understand algebra, especially when solving for unknown variables.

  • So overall, it looks like college algebra is a little bit harder.

  • An older teacher writes an algebra problem on the board for the students to solve.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Intervention was implemented first in the Algebra class, then Spanish, then English.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Incoming students' knowledge will consist of at least basic algebra and science concepts.

    Academic text (2011)
  • "Let's turn that into an algebra question," she said, reminding them of their task.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Students who were low achievers gained more from algebra instruction than similar groups exposed only to general math.

    Academic text (2008)
  • In my math class, we learned how to simplify expressions and solve algebra equations.

  • She found algebra challenging, but with practice, she started to enjoy solving equations.

Idioms

Very difficult for people to understand or do

Compounds

linear algebra
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A branch of math that studies equations and matrices to solve problems

Boolean algebra
  • Specialized
6.1

A part of math where values are only true or false and are used in logic and computers

Chinese algebra
  • Archaic
9.9

Something very difficult to understand, like a hard math problem

matrix algebra
  • Specialized
6.1

The part of math that studies numbers in rows and columns and how to use them

vector algebra
  • Specialized
7.0

A part of math about arrows that show length and direction

How Advanced

analysis
  • Specialized
57 5.7
calculus
  • Specialized
51 8.0
trigonometry
  • Specialized
9 6.6
geometry
  • Specialized
84 3.3
algebra
  • Specialized
77 4.0
arithmetic
  • Specialized
43 3.2

Surface Forms

algebra singular
algebras plural

Etymology

Algebra comes from the Arabic parts al- and jabr, where jabr means 'reunion' or 'restoration'. A helpful image is joining broken parts back together to make a whole, which explains why algebra is the math of moving and balancing numbers and letters to solve equations.