用字母代数是人类一项创造性的成就,是认识和思维上一次质的飞跃.德国数学家莱布尼兹说过:“符号的巧妙和利用符号的艺术,是人们绝妙的助手,因为它们使思考工作得到节约,在这里它以惊人的形式节省了思维.”俄国数学家罗巴切夫斯基也说过:“利用了符号,数学上的每一个论断,它所要描述的东西就可以更快地被别人所了解.”用字母代数如此重要,因此我们有必要来了解一下它的发展历史. 希腊数学家丢番图是最早自觉运用一套 Algebraic use of letters is a creative achievement of mankind. It is a qualitative leap in understanding and thinking. The German mathematician Leibniz said: “The artful use of symbols and the use of symbolic art are people’s wonderful assistants because they make Thinking about the work is saving, here it saves thinking in an astonishing form.” Russian mathematician Robachevski also said: “Using symbols, each of the mathematical arguments, what it describes can be more Quickly understood by others. "Algebraic use of letters is so important, so we need to understand its history of development. The Greek mathematician Diofan map was the earliest conscious use of a set of