Elementary algebra is the most basic form of algebra. It is taught to students who are presumed to have no knowledge of
mathematics beyond the basic principles of
arithmetic. In arithmetic, only
numbers and their arithmetical operations (such as +, −, ×, ÷) occur. In algebra, numbers are often denoted by symbols (such as
a,
x, or
y). This is useful because:
- It allows the general formulation of arithmetical laws (such as a + b = b + a for all a and b), and thus is the first step to a systematic exploration of the properties of the real number system.
- It allows the reference to "unknown" numbers, the formulation of equations and the study of how to solve these (for instance, "Find a number x such that 3x + 1 = 10" or going a bit further "Find a number x such that ax+b=c". Step which lets to the conclusion that is not the nature of the specific numbers the one that allows us to solve it but that of the operations involved).
- It allows the formulation of functional relationships (such as "If you sell x tickets, then your profit will be 3x − 10 dollars, or f(x) = 3x − 10, where f is the function, and x is the number to which the function is applied.").
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebra
Elementary algebra is the most basic form of algebra. It is taught to students who are presumed to have no knowledge of mathematics beyond the basic principles of arithmetic. In arithmetic, only numbers and their arithmetical operations (such as +, −, ×, ÷) occur. In algebra, numbers are often denoted by symbols (such as a, x, or y). This is useful because: 
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