[ I ]

A

TREATISE

' O F

ALGEBRA.

SECT. I.

Of Notation.

A Lgebra is an Art, or Method of Computation,by which the most difficult Problems are re-solved, when their Solutions would be soughtin vain from common Arithmetics.

In common Arithmetics every Character, or Digit,has a determinate Value according to the Place in whichit (ta.iids; but in Algebra, or specious Arithmetics,wheie Quantities aredesign’d by Letters, each Characteroi Letter may represent any Quantity at pleasure, ei-ther known or unknown : But tor Distinction sake, theknow n or given Quantities (in any Question) are com-monly denoted by the initial Letters of the Alphabet a,b, c, d, Sec. and the unknown or required ones, by thefinal ones *, y, z, Sec.

Moreover, in Algebra, there are certain Signs or Notesmade use of to shew the Connexion and Dependence of

B Quantities

/