In algebra, letters are used when numbers are not known. Algebraic terms, such as \(2s\) or \(8y\), leave the multiplication signs out. So rather than \(2 \times s\), write \(2s\), and rather than \(8 ...

In algebra, letters are used to stand for values that can change (variables) or for values that are not known (unknowns). A term is a number or letter on its own, or numbers and letters multiplied ...

Parsing algebraic expressions is always a pain. If you need to compute, say, 2+4*2, the answer should be the same as (2 + (4 *2)), not ((2 + 4) * 2) — in other words, the right answer is 10, not 12.

Algebraic structures and linear maps form a cornerstone in modern mathematics, underpinning areas as diverse as abstract algebra and functional analysis. Algebraic structures such as groups, rings, ...