Al-Jabr
/alˈd͡ʒabr/noun
An Arabic mathematical method of restoring balance by transposing and simplifying equations, the source of the English word “algebra.”
Did you know?In 9th-century Baghdad, al-jabr described restoring an equation’s balance, while the same Arabic root was also associated with repairing or setting broken bones.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*g-b-r
“A root associated with strength, compelling, restoration, or making whole”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
جبر (jabr)
“Restoration, setting a broken bone, or compelling/reuniting what is damaged”
820 CE
Arabic
al-jabr
“The restoration or completion of parts in mathematical equations”
12th Century
Latin
algebra
“A mathematical treatise or procedure borrowed from Arabic”
16th Century
English
algebra
“A branch of mathematics using symbols and letters to represent quantities”
Modern English
English
algebra
“The study of mathematical symbols, quantities, and the rules for manipulating them”