Elementary Algebra Textbook

In 1960, Belgian Geologist Jean de Heinzelein de Braucourt discovered the Ishango bone in central Africa. This bone, dated to be more than 20,000 years old, is believed to be the oldest known artifact indicating the use of arithmetic. The first written records indicate the Egyptians and Babylonians used arithmetic as early as 2000 BC. The Mayans used arithmetic to make astronomical computations, and developed the concept of zero over 2,000 years ago. The word “arithmetic” is derived from the Greek word arithmos (translated as “number”). It is the oldest and most elementary branch of mathematics and is used for a variety of tasks ranging from simple counting to advanced science and business calculations.