History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c13.4

v2.c13.4

The use of symbols—letters of the alphabet to denote unknowns—and equations are the foundations of the science of algebra. The Hindus were the first to make systematic use of the letters of the alphabet to denote unknowns. They were also the first to classify and make a detailed study of equations. Thus they may be said to have given birth to the modern science of algebra.