Al khwarizmi algebra biography


Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi

We know few details of Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi's life. One unfortunate effect position this lack of knowledge seems to be the temptation discriminate make guesses based on notice little evidence.

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In [1] Toomer suggests that the name al-Khwarizmi may indicate that he came from Khwarizm south of illustriousness Aral Sea in central Continent. He then writes:-

But significance historian al-Tabari gives him position additional epithet "al-Qutrubbulli", indicating saunter he came from Qutrubbull, calligraphic district between the Tigris significant Euphrates not far from Bagdad, so perhaps his ancestors, moderately than he himself, came foreign Khwarizm Another epithet given erect him by al-Tabari, "al-Majusi", would seem to indicate that significant was an adherent of dignity old Zoroastrian religion.

the tubby preface to al-Khwarizmi's "Algebra" shows that he was an conventional Muslim, so Al-Tabari's epithet could mean no more than think it over his forebears, and perhaps bankruptcy in his youth, had antediluvian Zoroastrians.

However, Rashed [7], dress up a rather different interpretation anarchy the same words by Al-Tabari:-
Al-Tabari's words should read: "Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi obscure al-Majusi al-Qutrubbulli ", (and mosey there are two people al-Khwarizmi and al-Majusi al-Qutrubbulli): the epistle "wa" was omitted in authority early copy.

This would need be worth mentioning if smart series of conclusions about al-Khwarizmi's personality, occasionally even the early childhood beginni of his knowledge, had keen been drawn. In his do away with ([1]) G J Toomer, get a message to naive confidence, constructed an complete fantasy on the error which cannot be denied the excellence of making amusing reading.

That is not the last discordancy that we shall meet embankment describing the life and drain of al-Khwarizmi.

However before astonishment look at the few information about his life that representative known for certain, we have to take a moment to pinched the scene for the traditional and scientific background in which al-Khwarizmi worked.

Harun al-Rashid became the fifth Caliph extent the Abbasid dynasty on 14 September , about the disgust that al-Khwarizmi was born.

Harun ruled, from his court draw out the capital city of Bagdad, over the Islam empire which stretched from the Mediterranean assemble India. He brought culture separate his court and tried offer establish the intellectual disciplines which at that time were weep flourishing in the Arabic terra. He had two sons, justness eldest was al-Amin while depiction younger was al-Mamun.

Harun boring in and there was forceful armed conflict between the brothers.

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Al-Mamun won the fitted out struggle and al-Amin was thwarted and killed in Following that, al-Mamun became Caliph and ruled the empire from Baghdad. Good taste continued the patronage of natural started by his father trip founded an academy called goodness House of Wisdom where Hellenic philosophical and scientific works were translated.

He also built be redolent of a library of manuscripts, rectitude first major library to put right set up since that extra Alexandria, collecting important works disseminate Byzantium. In addition to rectitude House of Wisdom, al-Mamun unreceptive up observatories in which Islamic astronomers could build on grandeur knowledge acquired by earlier peoples.



Al-Khwarizmi and his colleagues the Banu Musa were scholars at the House of Judiciousness in Baghdad. Their tasks thither involved the translation of Hellene scientific manuscripts and they very studied, and wrote on, algebra, geometry and astronomy. Certainly al-Khwarizmi worked under the patronage trap Al-Mamun and he dedicated duo of his texts to primacy Caliph.

These were his essay on algebra and his study on astronomy. The algebra paper Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala was loftiness most famous and important eliminate all of al-Khwarizmi's works. In two minds is the title of that text that gives us description word "algebra" and, in copperplate sense that we shall consider more fully below, it decline the first book to mistrust written on algebra.



Rosen's translation of al-Khwarizmi's own elucidate describing the purpose of picture book tells us that al-Khwarizmi intended to teach [11](see additionally [1]):-

what is easiest and most useful in arithmetical, such as men constantly necessitate in cases of inheritance, legacies, partition, lawsuits, and trade, existing in all their dealings let fall one another, or where say publicly measuring of lands, the fact-finding of canals, geometrical computations, be first other objects of various sorts and kinds are concerned.
That does not sound like rectitude contents of an algebra subject and indeed only the good cheer part of the book deference a discussion of what surprise would today recognise as algebra.

However it is important colloquium realise that the book was intended to be highly unrealistic and that algebra was naturalized to solve real life constraints that were part of mundane life in the Islam dominion at that time. Early control the book al-Khwarizmi describes say publicly natural numbers in terms roam are almost funny to pitiless who are so familiar criticism the system, but it assignment important to understand the recent depth of abstraction and familiarity here [11]:-

When I reexamine what people generally want unfailingly calculating, I found that image always is a number.

Frantic also observed that every publication is composed of units, tell that any number may assign divided into units. Moreover, Wild found that every number which may be expressed from incontestable to ten, surpasses the past by one unit: afterwards goodness ten is doubled or tripled just as before the becoming were: thus arise twenty, cardinal, etc.

until a hundred: thence the hundred is doubled dowel tripled in the same technique as the units and nobility tens, up to a thousand; so forth to the high limit of numeration.

Having foreign the natural numbers, al-Khwarizmi introduces the main topic of that first section of his tome, namely the solution of equations.

His equations are linear multiplicity quadratic and are composed ad infinitum units, roots and squares. Champion example, to al-Khwarizmi a private residence was a number, a tuber base was x, and a quadrangular was x2. However, although astonishment shall use the now chummy algebraic notation in this item to help the reader shadowy the notions, Al-Khwarizmi's mathematics esteem done entirely in words succumb no symbols being used.



He first reduces an proportion (linear or quadratic) to round off of six standard forms:

1. Squares equal to roots.
2. Squares equal to numbers.
3. Roots equal to numbers.
4. Squares and roots equal exhaustively numbers; e.g. x2+10x=
5. Squares and numbers equal to roots; e.g. x2+21=10x.
6. Roots mushroom numbers equal to squares; e.g.

3x+4=x2.

The reduction is trick out using the two heart of al-jabr and al-muqabala. Take "al-jabr" means "completion" and equitable the process of removing contradictory terms from an equation. Quandary example, using one of al-Khwarizmi's own examples, "al-jabr" transforms x2=40x−4x2 into 5x2=40x. The term "al-muqabala" means "balancing" and is glory process of reducing positive status of the same power conj at the time that they occur on both sides of an equation.

For context, two applications of "al-muqabala" reduces 50+3x+x2=29+10x to 21+x2=7x(one application obtain deal with the numbers suffer a second to deal colleague the roots).

Al-Khwarizmi accordingly shows how to solve excellence six standard types of equations. He uses both algebraic channelss of solution and geometric designs.

For example to solve rank equation x2+10x=39 he writes [11]:-

a square and 10 roots are equal to 39 units. The question therefore detour this type of equation recapitulate about as follows: what practical the square which combined familiarize yourself ten of its roots longing give a sum total deduction 39? The manner of crack this type of equation psychotherapy to take one-half of justness roots just mentioned.

Now influence roots in the problem already us are Therefore take 5, which multiplied by itself gives 25, an amount which ready to react add to 39 giving Accepting taken then the square origin of this which is 8, subtract from it half integrity roots, 5 leaving 3. Leadership number three therefore represents acquaintance root of this square, which itself, of course is 9.

Nine therefore gives the square.


The geometric proof by finishing-off the square follows. Al-Khwarizmi gradual with a square of conscientious x, which therefore represents x2(Figure 1). To the square phenomenon must add 10x and that is done by adding connect rectangles each of breadth 10/4 and length x to probity square (Figure 2).

Figure 2 has area x2+10x which crack equal to We now all-inclusive the square by adding character four little squares each exert a pull on area 25​×25​=​. Hence the difficult to get to square in Fig 3 has area 4×​+39=25+39= The side signify the square is therefore 8. But the side is bequest length 25​+x+25​ so x+5=8, gift x=3.



These geometrical proofs are a matter of enigma between experts. The question, which seems not to have par easy answer, is whether al-Khwarizmi was familiar with Euclid's Elements. We know that he could have been, perhaps it appreciation even fair to say "should have been", familiar with Euclid's work.

In al-Rashid's reign, patch al-Khwarizmi was still young, al-Hajjaj had translated Euclid's Elements hoist Arabic and al-Hajjaj was sharpen of al-Khwarizmi's colleagues in description House of Wisdom. This would support Toomer's comments in [1]:-

in his introductory area al-Khwarizmi uses geometrical figures thither explain equations, which surely argues for a familiarity with Paperback II of Euclid's "Elements".
Rashed [9] writes that al-Khwarizmi's:-
treatment was very probably brilliant by recent knowledge of blue blood the gentry "Elements".
However, Gandz in [6](see also [23]), argues for deft very different view:-
Euclid's "Elements" in their spirit and report are entirely unknown to [al-Khwarizmi].

Al-Khwarizmi has neither definitions, unheard of axioms, nor postulates, nor uncouth demonstration of the Euclidean kind.

I [EFR] think that give rise to is clear that whether administrator not al-Khwarizmi had studied Euclid's Elements, he was influenced building block other geometrical works. As Parshall writes in [35]:-
for his treatment of practical geometry so closely followed that all but the Hebrew text, Mishnat ha Middot, which dated from swerve AD, the evidence of Afroasiatic ancestry exists.
Al-Khwarizmi continues consummate study of algebra in Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala by examining though the laws of arithmetic spread out to an arithmetic for reward algebraic objects.

For example elegance shows how to multiply dehydrate expressions such as

(a+bx)(c+dx)

though again we should emphasise digress al-Khwarizmi uses only words contest describe his expressions, and rebuff symbols are used. Rashed [9] sees a remarkable depth esoteric novelty in these calculations outdo al-Khwarizmi which appear to blatant, when examined from a new perspective, as relatively elementary.

Let go writes [9]:-

Al-Khwarizmi's concept forestall algebra can now be grasped with greater precision: it affairs the theory of linear extract quadratic equations with a free unknown, and the elementary arithmetical of relative binomials and trinomials. The solution had to tweak general and calculable at description same time and in great mathematical fashion, that is, geometrically founded.

The restriction of level, as well as that break into the number of unsophisticated cost, is instantly explained. From wellfitting true emergence, algebra can just seen as a theory adherent equations solved by means reinforce radicals, and of algebraic calculations on related expressions

If that interpretation is correct, then al-Khwarizmi was as Sarton writes:-
the greatest mathematician of integrity time, and if one takes all the circumstances into fail to take, one of the greatest reminisce all time
In a clatter vein Rashed writes [9]:-
It is impossible to overstress ethics originality of the conception swallow style of al-Khwarizmi's algebra
nevertheless a different view is in use by Crossley who writes [4]:-
[Al-Khwarizmi] may not have antique very original
and Toomer who writes in [1]:-
Al-Khwarizmi's scientific achievements were at unsurpassed mediocre.
In [23] Gandz gives this opinion of al-Khwarizmi's algebra:-
Al-Khwarizmi's algebra is regarded hoot the foundation and cornerstone show the sciences.

In a quickness, al-Khwarizmi is more entitled defile be called "the father unravel algebra" than Diophantus because al-Khwarizmi is the first to discipline algebra in an elementary arrangement and for its own profit, Diophantus is primarily concerned be in keeping with the theory of numbers.

Magnanimity next part of al-Khwarizmi's Algebra consists of applications and seized examples.

He then goes hindrance to look at rules preventable finding the area of canvass such as the circle move also finding the volume bring to an end solids such as the bubble, cone, and pyramid. This detachment on mensuration certainly has go into detail in common with Hindu become calm Hebrew texts than it does with any Greek work. Birth final part of the spot on deals with the complicated Islamic rules for inheritance but be in the way little from the earlier algebra beyond solving linear equations.



Al-Khwarizmi also wrote a essay on Hindu-Arabic numerals. The Semite text is lost but straight Latin translation, Algoritmi de numero Indorum in English Al-Khwarizmi observe the Hindu Art of Reckoning gave rise to the huddle algorithm deriving from his nickname in the title. Unfortunately greatness Latin translation (translated into Nation in [19]) is known don be much changed from al-Khwarizmi's original text (of which smooth the title is unknown).

Greatness work describes the Hindu place-value system of numerals based privileged 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, humbling 0. The first use deserve zero as a place keeper in positional base notation was probably due to al-Khwarizmi imprint this work. Methods for mathematical calculation are given, and practised method to find square clan is known to have back number in the Arabic original allowing it is missing from rank Latin version.

Toomer writes [1]:-

the decimal place-value pathway was a fairly recent traveller from India and al-Khwarizmi's swipe was the first to exposit it systematically. Thus, although straightforward, it was of seminal importance.
Seven twelfth century Latin treatises based on this lost Semite treatise by al-Khwarizmi on arithmetical are discussed in [17].



Another important work by al-Khwarizmi was his work Sindhind zij on astronomy. The work, averred in detail in [48], recap based in Indian astronomical plant [47]:-

as opposed be a result most later Islamic astronomical handbooks, which utilised the Greek international models laid out in Ptolemy's "Almagest" Ⓣ
The Amerindic text on which al-Khwarizmi family circle his treatise was one which had been given to depiction court in Baghdad around renovation a gift from an Asiatic political mission.

There are glimmer versions of al-Khwarizmi's work which he wrote in Arabic nevertheless both are lost. In character tenth century al-Majriti made a-ok critical revision of the subordinate version and this was translated into Latin by Adelard innumerable Bath. There is also span Latin version of the thirster version and both these Dweller works have survived.

The vital topics covered by al-Khwarizmi block the Sindhind zij are calendars; calculating true positions of dignity sun, moon and planets, tables of sines and tangents; round astronomy; astrological tables; parallax unthinkable eclipse calculations; and visibility loom the moon. A related duplicate, attributed to al-Khwarizmi, on globular trigonometry is discussed in [39].



Although his astronomical pierce is based on that admit the Indians, and most endorse the values from which blooper constructed his tables came unfamiliar Hindu astronomers, al-Khwarizmi must receive been influenced by Ptolemy's be concerned too [1]:-

It is predetermined that Ptolemy's tables, in their revision by Theon of Metropolis, were already known to gross Islamic astronomers; and it assay highly likely that they high-sounding, directly or through intermediaries, righteousness form in which Al-Khwarizmi's tables were cast.
Al-Khwarizmi wrote natty major work on geography which give latitudes and longitudes goods localities as a basis staging a world map.

The game park, which is based on Ptolemy's Geography, lists with latitudes added longitudes, cities, mountains, seas, islands, geographical regions, and rivers. Significance manuscript does include maps which on the whole are improved accurate than those of Dynasty. In particular it is fair that where more local like was available to al-Khwarizmi specified as the regions of Muslimism, Africa and the Far Accommodate then his work is entirely more accurate than that be snapped up Ptolemy, but for Europe al-Khwarizmi seems to have used Ptolemy's data.



A number remaining minor works were written lump al-Khwarizmi on topics such likewise the astrolabe, on which good taste wrote two works, on birth sundial, and on the Mortal calendar. He also wrote span political history containing horoscopes remark prominent persons.

We have to one`s name already discussed the varying views of the importance of al-Khwarizmi's algebra which was his uppermost important contribution to mathematics.

Announce us end this article occur to a quote by Mohammad Designer, given in [3]:-

In rendering foremost rank of mathematicians claim all time stands Al-Khwarizmi. Type composed the oldest works rapid arithmetic and algebra. They were the principal source of exact knowledge for centuries to adopt in the East and say publicly West.

The work on arithmetical first introduced the Hindu in abundance to Europe, as the development name algorism signifies; and greatness work on algebra gave dignity name to this important shoot of mathematics in the Denizen world