What is 'Algebra'?

Date: 8/6/96 at 21:43:53
From: Anonymous
Subject: Algebra

Hello,

What is the meaning of the word algebra?

Date: 8/6/96 at 23:45:11
From: Doctor Paul
Subject: Re: Algebra

Webster says:

al.ge.bra \'al-j*-br*\ \'al-j*-.bra--*st\ n 
[ML, fr. Ar al-jabr, lit., the reduction] 

1a: a generalization of arithmetic in which letters representing 
numbers are combined according to the rules of arithmetic.

1b: a treatise on algebra.

 2: a mathematical ring whose elements can be multiplied by elements 
of a specified field in accordance with special rules.

 3: a logical or set calculus - al.ge.bra.ist n.

Bool.ean algebra \.bu:-le-*n-\ n 
[George Boole -1860 E mathematician]: 

A logical calculus, esp. of classes arranged as a system of theorems 
deduced from a set of undefined symbols and axioms concerning them.

-Doctor Paul,  The Math Forum
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