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Origin of Algebra


Date: 9/14/96 at 14:39:40
From: Anonymous
Subject: Origins of Algebra

Who found or used algebra for the first time?

Date: 9/18/96 at 20:2:53
From: Doctor Jodi
Subject: Re: Origins of Algebra

Hi David! 

Descartes was the first person to use algebra in the modern sense of 
letting letters be substituted for unknowns.  He wrote about the 
connections between algebra and geometry in his book THE GEOMETRY.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have more questions.

-Doctor Jodi,  The Math Forum
 Check out our web site!  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

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Middle School History/Biography

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