One of the oldest fields of study in Mathematics after number theory and geometry is algebra. It can be defined as the study of mathematical symbols and rules that are required for the manipulation of these values. Algebra unifies all mathematical topics, be it simple arithmetic operations to solving complex polynomials; it is used in every field. There are two types of algebra – elementary algebra and abstract algebra. Elementary algebra is used in fields such as engineering, medicine, economics, science, mathematics, and so on. It is used as a tool for solving mathematical problems and deriving the value of variables or unknown quantities in equations.
Basic Algebra Operations and Formulas
Children are introduced to algebra at a very young age in the form of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These form the basic algebra operations. There are some formulas that are introduced to kids as they start learning algebra.
- (a+b)2 = a2 + b2+ 2ab
- (a – b)2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab
- (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ac
- (a – b – c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 – 2ab – 2ac + 2bc
- (a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3
- (a – b)3 = a3 – 3a2b + 3ab2 – b3
The above-mentioned algebra formulas are very important for kids to understand before memorizing as they are used in almost all problems.
Applications of Algebra
Setting up a Schedule
A person always has a schedule set up for his next day before sleeping. It involves the time that he sets his alarm clock to wake up, getting ready and other activities for the day. He uses algebra knowingly or unknowingly to calculate the time that is required to wake up, exercise, have a bath, eat breakfast, reach the office on time, finish his work, and so on.
Finance
A person who works as a financial analyst makes widespread use of algebraic operations to calculate the profit and loss that could be incurred if invested in an asset. He has to analyze the market risk and the trends of the market. This is done using various algebraic tools used in combination with other topics such as linear programming. Thus, to be successful in the finance industry, a person must have strong concepts of algebra.
Sports
Any sport such as football, basketball, cricket, etc., makes the use of algebra unintentionally. Suppose a cricket player wants to hit a six; he calculates the force required to do so. This is a form of algebra. Similarly, for a basketball player or a football player, they have to calculate the trajectory and the power required to throw the ball in the basket or kick the ball in the goal.
Cooking
Suppose you want to bake a cake. There are many measurements that have to be made, such as that of the flour, sugar, butter, etc. To ensure that the proportions are correct, algebra is used. You might have to convert the scales if using a recipe book, or you might have to make calculations on the weight scale. Thus, these processes use algebra.
Conclusion
Algebra is a crucial subject that is interlinked with all mathematical topics. Hence, kids need a good quality of education that can be provided by an online educational institute such as Cuemath. At Cuemath, the math experts focus on clearing concepts and building a robust foundational knowledge of the subject. With such innovative teaching techniques, kids can master the subject in no time and find success in all fields.
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