Math Genius in Me!

Studying triggered an old memory of mine. When I was about 6/7 or so I remember I was just learning about the word Algebra. I absolutely love Maths and its one of my favourite subject till date (probably because I am not doing it anymore).

We were at our family friend's place for Thyagaraja Aradhana practice with my mum. The practice for the songs I was singing finished so I decided to go and talk to the Anna(who at that stage was in 3rd year Engineering). I went to his room and this is how the events unfolded.

He was sitting and doing his Maths. Me being me who loves Maths went and asked him whether I can try doing it as well. He said sure and gave me his book. I looked at the sums they all had a's and b's and squares and fancy fancy symbols. I luckily knew what the symbols meant (as it had just primitive addition, subtraction, multiplication and division symbols) and told him. Don't worry I can easily solve it. Just tell me what 'a' and 'b' are. He had a hearty laugh and told me, "If only I knew!"