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TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Introduction. Containing a brief explanation of the purpose
of algebra, and of some of the signs

I. Questions producing simple equations, in which the un-

known quantity is multiplied by known quantities

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III. Questions producing simple equations, in which the un-
known quantity is added to known quantities
IV. Questions producing simple equations, in which quanti-
ties consisting of two or more terms are to be multiplied
by a number

Transposition explained

Case of fractions to be subtracted, when some of the

terms in the numerator have the sign

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IX. Explanation of some of the higher purposes of algebra,
and examples of generalization

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ALGEBRA.

INTRODUCTION

THE operations explained in Arithmetic are sufficient for the solution of all questions in numbers, that ever occur; but it is to be observed, that in every question there are two distinct things to be attended to; first, to discover, by a course of reasoning, what operations are necessary; and, secondly, to perform those operations. The first of these, to a certain extent, is more easily learned than the second; but, after the method of performing the operations is understood, all the difficulty in solving abstruse and complicated questions consists in discovering how the operations are to be applied.

It is often difficult, and sometimes absolutely impossible to discover, by the ordinary modes of reasoning, how the fundamental operations are to be applied to the solution of questions. It is our purpose, in this treatise, to show how this difficulty may be obviated.

It has been shown in Arithmetic, that ordinary calculations are very much facilitated by a set of arbitrary signs, called figures; it will now be shown that the reasoning, previous to calculation, may receive as great assistance from another set of arbitrary signs.

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Some of the signs have already been explained in Arithmetic ; they will here be briefly recapitulated.

(=) Two horizontal lines are used to express the words "are equal to," or any other similar expression.

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(+) A cross, one line being horizontal and the other perpendicular, signifies "added to.' It be read and, more, plus, or any similar expression; thus, 7 + 5 12, is read 7 and 5 are 12, or 5 added to 7 is equal to 12, or 7 plus 5 is equal to Plus is a Latin word signifying more.

12.

(-) A horizontal line, signifies subtracted from. It is sometimes read less or minus. Minus is Latin, signifying less. Thus

1468, is read 6 subtracted from 14, or 4 less 6, or 14 minus 6 is equal to 8.

Observe that the signs and affect the numbers which they stand immediately before, and no others. Thus

and 8

14 6 +8

6+14:

=

16; and 148 6 16;

16; and, in fine,

-6+8+14

= 16. In all these cases the 6 only is to be subtracted, and it is the same, whether it be first subtracted from one of the numbers, and then the rest be added, or whether all the others be added and that be subtracted at last.

(X) (.) An inclined cross, or a point, is used to express multiplication; thus, 5 × 3 = 15, or 5.3

15.

(÷) A horizontal line, with a point above and another below it, is used to express division. Thus 15 ÷ 3 = 5, is read 15 divided by 3 is equal to 5.

But division is more frequently expressed in the form of a fraction (Arith. Art. XVI. Part II.), the divisor being made the denominator, and the dividend the numerator.

Thus 15

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5,

is read 15 divided by 3 is equal to 5, or one third of 15, is 5,. or 15 contains 3, 5 times.

Example. 6 9 + 15 3 =

7

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8

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望+14. This is read, 9 times 6 and 15 less 3 are equal to 8 times 7 less 16 divided by 4, and 14.

To find the value of each side; 9 times 6 are 54 and 15 are 69, less 3 are 66. Then 8 times 7 are 56, less 16 divided by 4, or 4 are 52, and 14 more are 66.

In questions proposed for solution, it is always required to find one or more quantities which are unknown; these, when found, are the answer to the question. It will be found extremely useful to have signs to express these unknown quantities, because it will enable us to keep the object more steadily and distinctly in view. We shall also be able to represent certain operations upon them by the aid of signs, which will greatly assist us in arriving at the result.

Algebraic signs are in fact nothing else than an abridgment of common language, by which a long process of reasoning is presented at once in a single view.

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The signs generally used to express the unknown quantities above mentioned are some of the last letters of the alphabet, as x, y, z, &c.

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