Babylonian Algebra

Babylonians seems have been very creative in stating generalized mathematical principles. Their “place-value” number system and imaginative use of various tables are quite genius which allowed them to denote unknows before algebra time.  For example, ush refers to the length of an object, sag refers to the breath of an object, and sahar refers to the volume of an object.

Although these ancient mathematical representations were used to generalize mathematical concepts and calculation, it was also a reflection of how Babylonians’ great wisdom created a way to relate math with the nature world.  In my opinion, it was less abstractive and more relational to people’s daily life.

I cannot imagine how to find unknowns without the x, y symbols in modern day mathematics.  People are so used to what have today. Our ancestor’s legacy enabled us so much power to keep on advancing modern human world.  I find that the Babylonian’s way in manipulating mathematics is interesting and definitely applicable under the absence of the algebra.  I also believe if algebra wasn’t invented, human would have the wisdom to invent another system to serve for the same purpose.