Algebra basic knowledge
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Introduction to Algebra Algebra is great fun - you get to solve puzzles! A Puzzle What is the missing number? − 2 = 4 OK, the answer is 6, right? Because 6 − 2 = 4 . Easy stuff. Well, in Algebra we don't use blank boxes, we use a letter (usually an x or y, but any letter is fine). So we write: x − 2 = 4 It is really that simple. The letter (in this case an x) just means "we don't know this yet", and is often called the unknown or the variable . And when we solve it we write: x = 6 Why Use a Letter? Because: it is easier to write "x" than drawing empty boxes (and easier to say "x" than "the empty box"). if there are several empty boxes (several "unknowns") we can use a different letter for each one. So x is simply better than having an empty box. We aren't trying to make words with it! And it doesn't have to be x , it could be y or w ... or any letter or symbol