Question

What is the difference between arithmetic and algebra?

Answer 1

Is the equation x^2 - 1 =0 arithmetic? No. But is it an example of something from algebra? Yes.

Answer 2

so something like "What is 3 + (2i)^2 ?" is arithmetic, but "If 2x + 2 = 40, then what is x?" is algebra?

Answer 3

and*

Answer 4

Arithmetic is adding and multiplying (and their inverses), nearly always just in the integers, reals or complex numbers.

Algebra is much, much more general and is concerned with the study of alegebraic structures: groups, rings, modules, vector spaces, algebras and their homologies. Get two years into studying mathematics at a good university and you'll know what all these things are. Suffice to say, the integers, reals or complex numbers are just three special examples of a broad class of much more general structures.

Now -- enough with your silly questions.

Answer 5

algebra has an equation/inequation with equality/inequality sigh

Answer 6

sign*,


ps;
keep the silly questions commin

Answer 7

The wrong questions and the right answer can make all the difference in the pursuit of a greater understanding of a field.

Answer 8

http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Graduate-Texts-Mathematics-v/dp/0387905189

Answer 9

That answers 'What is Algebra' :-D

Answer 10

If only there was a text that answered 'What is Arithmetic'... :(

Answer 11

that is a book.

Answer 12

they have different "fundamental theorems"

Answer 13

Like I said already: Arithmetic is adding and multiplying (and their inverses), nearly always just in the integers, reals or complex numbers.

Answer 14

id say arithmetic combining numbers and getting results;

algebra is finding numbers that get results.

Answer 15

arithmetic; this IS that

algebra; if you have this, then you get that.