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Can anyone help me in finding out some real life examples to explain the difference between algebra and arithmetic ?

Thanks in advance

  • 0
    I think in real life you use arithmetic, not algebra :)2012-08-14
  • 3
    No you don't use anything :)2012-08-14
  • 0
    Perhaps you could lead us off. What do you think the difference between algebra and arithmetic is?2012-08-14
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    then why do we study algebra ?2012-08-14
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    Algebra is an extension of arithmetic ... but any example that clearly explains the concept to fresh minds @mixedmath2012-08-14
  • 1
    What is arithmetic? Is it computing $1+1=$? Algebra would be figuring out how to find $x$ from $x-1=1$?2012-08-15
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    it means from known facts to result is arithmetic & algebra is fro m result to find the unknown2012-08-15
  • 1
    To riff off @timur's comment: if you tell us what you think is the difference between the two, then maybe we have something to start with...2012-08-15
  • 0
    "it means from known facts to result is arithmetic & algebra is fro m result to find the unknown" - hmm, I don't know. Back in the day, some of the arithmetic problems we did involved questions like $5\times \text{\_} =15$ and $4 + \text{\_} =9$, and we kids were able to do them fine, even before we knew there was such a thing as algebra...2012-08-15
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    At least to me it seems difficult to guess the difference you intended to clarify. Algebra started with questions about solving polynomial equations but later it became general study of certain structures. To many people, arithmetic is just computing with numbers, but you will see it is understood somewhat differently for instance when you talk about arithmetics axioms.2012-08-15
  • 7
    Both "algebra" and "arithmetic" are *highly* overloaded terms. To properly answer your question, we need to know precisely what you mean by those terms. How much mathematics do you know?2012-08-15
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    if we say 2+2=4 then to write in general way would be a+b=c this is what algebra is ? @J.M2012-08-15
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    ax + b=c whats is its application in real life? @BillDubuque2012-08-15
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    Most of the mathematicians know the concepts themselves but don't have the skill to communicate and convince young minds , my question simply demands that ? @BillDubuque2012-08-15
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    @Hillbilli: Two questions have been asked of you (by Bill, J.M., and I) that you should answer: What do you mean by algebra and arithmetic? How much math do you know? If you continue to brush these questions aside, we will not be able to give you a good answer.2012-08-15
  • 0
    my question is so simple i want to explain the terms arithmetic & algebra to my students by giving real life example instead of going into complexities2012-08-15
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    What level of students?2012-08-15
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    @Hillbilli: I have now downvoted, and I wonder if this is a troll. I will be happy to remove my downvote if you explain what you mean by algebra and arithmetic, and explain the intended level of math.2012-08-15
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    @mixedmath : It is very obvious he is referring to elementary-school/junior-high-school algebra and arithmetic, and not 'abstract' algebra, or number theory, etc. I don't know why everyone can't see that. He's a teacher trying to explain the importance of algebra and arithmetic to his students -- is there even a more common math question from the layman than this?2012-08-15
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    @Three, I was asking my question since I'm not so sure what OP wants. FWIW, I don't particularly consider the question "what do you subtract from $5$ to give $2$?" to be an algebra problem, for instance (though it can certainly be solved by the methods of algebra).2012-08-15
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    @Three: I have no idea where the line between middle-school/elementery-school algebra and arithmetic is. From my vantage point, I am inclined to believe that primary and secondary math education consists of teaching algorithms to solve abstract problem, all of which is arithmetic. But what I really don't understand is why the OP wouldn't just explain what he wants when we asked repeatedly.2012-08-15
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    @mixedmath Fair enough2012-08-15
  • 0
    A very simple question but i am sorry most of my friends came up with some very high order answers.this is where the fault lies...and poor minds start hating the subject2012-08-15
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    I don't think so. This question is one about how to name things, rather than a real knowledge.2012-08-15

4 Answers 4