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X marks the unknown in algebra – but X's origins are a math mystery

  • Written by Peter Schumer, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, Middlebury
X marks the unknown in algebra – but X's origins are a math mysteryThe use of the letter x as a mathematical unknown is a relatively modern convention. Algebra has been around for a lot longer.Daryl Benson/Stockbyte via Getty Images

Even though x is one of the least-used letters in the English alphabet, it appears throughout American culture – from Stan Lee’s X-Men superheroes to “The...

Read more: X marks the unknown in algebra – but X's origins are a math mystery

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