cameroon gce O level June 2023 computer science 3 day 4
cameroon gce O level June 2023 computer science 3 day 4
1)0 ull tnsks (Ta*k I, Tank II and Talk III) apeclflcd in this question paper.
Task I (20 marks)
Figure / is an article on the history of Algebra. Your task is to type, edit and format the text as requested.
What is Algebra?
Algebra is a branch of mathematics in which you use symbols, usually letters of the alphabet, to solve mathematical
problems. These letters, or symbols, arc placed in the problem to show an unknown.
The roots of the word, algebra, can be found in Medieval Latin and the Arabic word, fAI Jabr, which means the
reduction‘. ‘Hie word was first used as early as 1551.
The history of algebra can be divided into three parts:
• The rhetorical, or written stage, where only words were used in equations
• The syncopated, or shortened, stage, where some symbols were used in equations
• The symbolic or modern stage
The beginnings of algebra have been traced back as far as ancient Egypt and Babylon. No one person has been given
complete credit for the subject of algebra; however, two of the best–known ‘Fathers of Algebra‘ are Abu Jaafar
Mohammad Ibn Mousa Al Khwarizmi and Diophantus, who made contributions to the second stage of algebra. A!
Khwarizmi developed methods for balancing and reducing algebraic equations and introduced algorithms, which are
mathematical operations or rules. Diophantus wrote 13 books entitled ‘Arithmetica‘, which contain problems and
solutions that have furthered algebraic notation.
Source: https://study.com/academy/lesson/history–of–algebra-lesson–for–kids.html