Why study Algebra -

A common feature in Algebra is the use of unknown variables with x,y,z. This has special relevance in Six Sigma for the following reasons.

• Use of letters will allow us to write rules and formulas for elements that can vary. This helps in developing relationship between variables (like relation between cost and quality)

• Commonly letters denote unknown quantities. By learning methods of determining unknowns, we develop powerful tools for solving puzzles and addressing many process problems.

• Since letters stand for numbers, operations can be performed on them as on numbers. This leads to the study of algebraic expressions and their properties. This has application in many Six Sigma tools. Examples are regression analysis, design and analysis of experiments.

It is said that algebra as a branch of Mathematics began about 1550 BC, i.e. more than 3500 years ago, when people in Egypt started using symbols to denote unknown numbers.

 

Around 300 BC, use of letters to denote unknowns and forming expressions from them was quite common in India. Many great Indian mathematicians, Aryabhatt (born 476AD), Brahmagupta (born 598AD), Mahavira (who lived around 850AD) and Bhaskara II (born 1114AD) and others, contributed a lot to the study of algebra. They gave names such as Beeja, Varna etc. to unknowns and used first letters of colour names [e.g., ka from kala (black), nee from neela (blue)] to denote them.

The Indian name for algebra, Beejaganit, dates back to these ancient Indian mathematicians.

 

The word ‘algebra' is derived from the title of the book, ‘Aljebarw'al almugabalah', written about 825AD by an Arab mathematician, Mohammed Ibn Al Khowarizmi of Baghdad.

• You need to know basics of Algebra shown in chapter named Algebra-1
• Also useful are Algebraic expressions from chapter named Algebra-2.
• If you can comfortably create equations, write algebraic expressions using letters as variables, combine them and solve them, you are through with this section.