---
tags:
  - mathematics
  - basic-math
  - algebra
created: 2026-05-16
breadcrumb: "Mathematics > Basic math > Algebra basics"
---

# Algebra basics

> **Mechanism:** Symbolic manipulation of unknowns

## Items

- **Variables** — Letters standing for unknown or general numbers.
- **Linear eq.** — ax + b = 0 → x = −b/a.
- **Quadratic eq.** — ax² + bx + c = 0 → x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a.
- **Polynomial** — Sum of terms aₙxⁿ. Degree = highest n.
- **Factoring** — Rewriting an expression as a product. e.g. x² − 9 = (x − 3)(x + 3).
- **Functions** — f : X → Y maps each input to one output.

## Related

- [[linear-algebra]]
- [[calculus-basics]]