-
1800 BCE
Babylonian Mathematics
Babylonian clay tablets show problems that involved solving for a missing or unknown value. -
1650 BCE
Rhind Papyrus
This ancient Egyption texts show the earliest problem solving of linear equations. -
830 BCE
Al Khwarizmi
Al Khwarizmi wrote on of the first Arab works on the basic theory of algebra and solving equations. -
430 BCE
Geometric Discoveries
Greek mathematicians Euclid and Pythagoras made vital discoveries that regarding proportional relationships. -
250
Diophantus
Diophantus of Alexandria introduced systematic solution strategies, -
1130
Defining "Algebra"
Al-Samawal defines algebra as "[it is concerned] with operating on unknowns using all the arithmetical tools, in the same way as the arithmetician operates on the known.” -
1560
Algebraic Notation
François Viète introduced algebraic notation beyond the use of letters. He is considered the "Father of Algebraic Notation." -
La géometrie
In René Descartes' Book III of La géometrie, symbols were used to represent unknown quantities. (Variables) At this point, equations look most similar to what we see in modern algebra.