"Algebra" is an Arabic word
<They invented it after picking up the idea of zero from the Indians, another well-known European group.
The Arabs also invented the following symbols:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
The Romans were great engineers, but modern engineering and design, not to mention science, would be impossible without the Arab mathematicians' work to build on. Try doing complex calculations using Roman numerals (which didn't include zero, regardless of the fact that the Romans had contact with India) and you'll see what I mean.
Regards--
Mary Anne