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Giving unknown numbers a set of rules

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Ages 7–9

Al-Karaji developed algebra after the work of al-Khwarizmi.

His work treated algebraic quantities using operations such as multiplication.

He described powers such as x, x squared, and x cubed, and rules for multiplying them.

A school of algebra developed around his work, and later scholars such as al-Samawal continued it.

PAUSE & WONDER

How can one rule describe many different number examples?

PAUSE & WONDER

How can one rule describe many different number examples?

Try something at the kitchen table
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