THE

ELEMENTS OF ALGEBRA

BY

GEORGE LILLEY, PH.D., LL.D.

PRESIDENT OF WASHINGTON STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
AND SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

PREFACE.

ALGEBRA is a means to be used in other mathematical work; it develops the mathematical language, and is the great mathematical instrument. If the student would become a mathematician, he must understand this language and possess facility in handling the various forms of literal expressions.

Attention is called to the sequence of subjects as herein presented. Involution is introduced as an application of multiplication, evolution as an application of division, and logarithms as an application of exponents. Throughout the book the student is led to see that one subject follows as an application of another subject. The beginner is led to see at the outset that Algebra, like Arithmetic, treats of numbers.

Algebraic terms and definitions are not introduced until the student is required to put them into actual use. Correct processes are clearly set forth by carefully prepared solutions, the study of which leads the pupil to discover that method and theory follow directly from practice, and that methods are merely clear, definite, linguistic descriptions of correct processes.

The book is sufficiently advanced for the best High Schools and Academies, and covers sufficient ground for admission to any American College.

Great care has been given to the selection and arrangement of numerous examples and problems. These have been, for the most part, tested in the recitation-room, and are not so difficult as to discourage the beginner.

It remains for the author to express his sincere thanks to W. H. Hatch, Superintendent of Schools, Moline, Ill.; to Professor W. C. Boyden, Sub-Master of the Boston Normal School, Boston, Mass.; and to O. S. Cook, connected with the literary department of Messrs. Silver, Burdett & Co., for reading the manuscript and for valuable suggestions.

GEORGE LILLEY.

WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE,

PULLMAN, WASHINGTON, June, 1892.