When did algebra first originate?

Answer 1

Algebra originated in ancient civilizations, with its roots tracing back to around 2000 BCE in Babylon, where early forms of algebraic concepts were used for solving equations related to land measurement and trade. However, the term "algebra" itself is derived from the Arabic word "al-jabr," which was popularized by the mathematician Al-Khwarizmi in his 9th-century work, "Al-Kitab al-Mukhtasar fi Hisab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala." This book laid the foundations for modern algebra by systematically solving linear and quadratic equations. Thus, while the foundations of algebra date back millennia, its formalization as a discipline began in the medieval Islamic period.