In this web content, the author discusses the importance of algebra in the study of oscillating systems. They explain that while the formula for oscillating systems can be explained in two minutes, it is important to understand the underlying mathematics behind it. The author also mentions that mathematics is used in physics to understand the laws of nature and that compartmentalizing different subjects is artificial. They then go on to discuss the basic principles of algebra, such as addition, multiplication, and raising to a power. The author explains the inverse operations of subtraction, division, and finding roots, and emphasizes the process of generalization in algebra. They also mention the difficulty of solving equations with irrational numbers and the use of tables of logarithms or powers to calculate these numbers more efficiently. Overall, the content highlights the importance of algebra in understanding mathematical relationships and its application to physics.
https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_22.html