Algebra 

(from Arabic: ‫الجبر‬, romanized: al-jabr, lit. 'reunion of broken parts,[1] bonesetting[2]') is one of

the broad areas of mathematics, together with number theory, geometry and analysis. In its most
general form, algebra is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating these
symbols;[3] it is a unifying thread of almost all of mathematics.[4] It includes everything from elementary
equation solving to the study of abstractions such as groups, rings, and fields. The more basic parts
of algebra are called elementary algebra; the more abstract parts are called abstract algebra or
modern algebra. Elementary algebra is generally considered to be essential for any study of
mathematics, science, or engineering, as well as such applications as medicine and economics.
Abstract algebra is a major area in advanced mathematics, studied primarily by professional
mathematicians.
Elementary algebra differs from arithmetic in the use of abstractions, such as using letters to stand
for numbers that are either unknown or allowed to take on many values.[5] For example, in  the
letter  is an unknown, but applying additive inverses can reveal its value: . Algebra gives methods for
writing formulas and solving equations that are much clearer and easier than the older method of
writing everything out in words.
The word algebra is also used in certain specialized ways. A special kind of mathematical object in
abstract algebra is called an "algebra", and the word is used, for example, in the phrases linear
algebra and algebraic topology.
A mathematician who does research in algebra is called an algebraist.