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In the simple case of a function of one variable, say, h(x), we can solve an equation of the form h(x) = c for some constant c by considering what is known as the inverse function of h. Given a function h : A → B, the inverse function, denoted h −1 and defined as h −1 : B → A, is a function such that
Algebra is the branch of mathematics that studies certain abstract systems, known as algebraic structures, and the manipulation of expressions within those systems. It is a generalization of arithmetic that introduces variables and algebraic operations other than the standard arithmetic operations, such as addition and multiplication.
[6] [7] [a] The parentheses can be omitted if the input is a single numerical variable or constant, [2] as in the case of sin x = sin(x) and sin π = sin(π). [a] Traditionally this convention extends to monomials; thus, sin 3x = sin(3x) and even sin 1 / 2 xy = sin(xy/2), but sin x + y = sin(x) + y, because x + y is not a monomial ...
[15] [16] [17] The plus sign (+) appeared around 1351 with Nicole Oresme, [18] likely derived from the Latin et (meaning "and"), while the minus sign (−) was first used in 1489 by Johannes Widmann. [19] Luca Pacioli included these symbols in his works, though much was based on earlier contributions by Piero della Francesca.
Hilbert's tenth problem is the tenth on the list of mathematical problems that the German mathematician David Hilbert posed in 1900. It is the challenge to provide a general algorithm that, for any given Diophantine equation (a polynomial equation with integer coefficients and a finite number of unknowns), can decide whether the equation has a solution with all unknowns taking integer values.
For example, taking the statement x + 1 = 0, if x is substituted with 1, this implies 1 + 1 = 2 = 0, which is false, which implies that if x + 1 = 0 then x cannot be 1. If x and y are integers, rationals, or real numbers, then xy = 0 implies x = 0 or y = 0. Consider abc = 0. Then, substituting a for x and bc for y, we learn a = 0 or bc = 0.
A solution in radicals or algebraic solution is an expression of a solution of a polynomial equation that is algebraic, that is, relies only on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to integer powers, and extraction of n th roots (square roots, cube roots, etc.).
A rational algebraic expression (or rational expression) is an algebraic expression that can be written as a quotient of polynomials, such as x 2 + 4x + 4. An irrational algebraic expression is one that is not rational, such as √ x + 4.