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Algebra, as we know it today, wasn't invented by just one person, but rather developed over time by various mathematicians across different cultures. However, one key figure in its development is Al-Khwarizmi, a Persian mathematician who lived during the 9th century. He wrote a famous book called "Al-Kitab al-Mukhtasar fi Hisab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala" (which translates to "The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing"). This book introduced systematic solutions to linear and quadratic equations, and the word "algebra" actually comes from the term "al-jabr" from the title of his book, which means "completion" or "reunion."
Before Al-Khwarizmi, ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks had already worked with basic algebraic ideas, but Al-Khwarizmi's work laid the foundation for the formal system of algebra. So, while he wasn't the sole "inventor," he is certainly one of the most important figures in its history!
Before Al-Khwarizmi, ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks had already worked with basic algebraic ideas, but Al-Khwarizmi's work laid the foundation for the formal system of algebra. So, while he wasn't the sole "inventor," he is certainly one of the most important figures in its history!