fc)>
}hat of
■ space
ed and
it ’ and
ged in
? words
j them
th the
, &c.—
d, &c.,
.he set,
without
, P, Q,
is that
.rdinal)
e rank
of the
third,
)earmg
hi = 4,
l + &c.
(n terms) = n, but which is better expressed in the form l x + 1 2 + ••• +l n = w, where the
subscript numbers merely distinguish between the different unities which are added
altogether.
I use the term Algebra in a wide sense as including, or indeed I might say
identical with, Finite Analysis, and excluding Infinite Analysis; but in speaking of it
as identical with Finite Analysis I include in that term part of what might be con
sidered Infinite Analysis; viz. many of the theorems relating to infinite series or other
successions of operations, e.g.
(1 — x) (1 + x + x l + ... ad inf.) — 1,
really belong to Finite Analysis; for what is asserted is that the coefficient of the
term of indefinite rank, say x 11 , is a finite series equal in value to zero (this coefficient
in fact is 1 — 1 which is = 0). On the other hand the theorem
1 -
+
1.2 1.2.3.4
— &c.
the truth whereof depends on the equations
T = 'fa+ ^ + ^3 + • • • ™ l f-> & c ->
which are not arithmetically verifiable, belongs strictly to Infinite Analysis.
Algebra is an Art and a Science; qua Art, it defines and prescribes operations
which are either tactical or else logistical; viz. a tactical operation is one relating to
the arrangement in any manner of a set of things; a logistical operation (I prefer to
use the new expression instead of arithmetical) is the actual performance, so as to obtain
for the result a number, of any arithmetical operations (of course, given operations)
finite in number, since these alone can be actually performed, upon given numbers.
And qua Science Algebra affirms cl priori, or predicts, the result of any such tactical
or logistical (or tactical and logistical) operations. An equation such as 1 + 4 + 10 = 15
is not an algebraical theorem; it is merely the assertion that the sum of the numbers
1, 4, 10 is that number, viz. 15, which is the sum of the numbers in question. And,
similarly, the equation 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 is not an algebraical theorem. But on the other
hand, the equation 1 + 1 + 1 + ... (w terms) = n, is an algebraical theorem; in the
equivalent form l x +1 2 + ••• +1» = n, (where 1^ = 1) it is not different in kind from the
equation 1 + 2 + 3 ... +n = (n + 1), or say l x + 1 2 + ... + l n = \n (n + 1), (where 1* = k)
which is certainly an algebraical theorem. And this leads to the remark, that every
algebraical theorem rests ultimately on a tactical foundation. In fact, whether we prove
the last-mentioned theorem in the easiest way by writing
1+2 +3 .,. + n = S,
n + (rc-l) + (w-2)... + l =S,