The Arabs developed algebra to solve complex mathematical problems related to trade, taxes, and inheritance.
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The Arabs developed algebra during the Islamic Golden Age (around the 9th to 13th centuries) to solve complex mathematical problems related to trade, taxes, and inheritance. Algebra was seen as an important tool for merchants and traders, as well as for scholars and scientists.
According to David Bressoud, a professor of mathematics at Macalester College, “The spread of algebra through the Arab world and then to Europe played a major role in the development of mathematics, science, and technology in the Western world.”
Here are some interesting facts about algebra and its development in Arabia:
- The word “algebra” comes from the Arabic word “al-jabr,” which means “reunion of broken parts.”
- One of the most famous Arabian algebraists is Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, who wrote the book “Kitab al-Jabr wa al-Muqabala” (The Book of Algebra and Integration).
- Al-Khwarizmi’s work was translated into Latin in the 12th century, and this translation introduced European mathematicians to algebraic concepts such as the use of letters to represent unknown values.
- Algebra was also important for astronomy and astrology, as it allowed astronomers to make accurate predictions about the positions of the stars and planets.
- The development of algebra in Arabia was closely linked to the Islamic religion, as the Quran requires Muslims to be honest and accurate in their business dealings.
- Algebraic concepts such as quadratic equations and algebraic geometry are still used today in fields such as physics, engineering, and finance.
Table: Famous Arabian Algebraists
| Name | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Muhammad ibn Musa | Wrote “Kitab al-Jabr wa al-Muqabala” (The Book of Algebra and Integration) |
| Omar Khayyam | Developed a geometric method for solving cubic equations |
| Al-Karaji | Introduced the binomial theorem to Arabic mathematics |
In conclusion, algebra was developed by the Arabs as a practical tool for solving complex mathematical problems related to business and commerce. However, the development of algebra had a much broader impact on the world, as it helped to lay the foundation for modern mathematics and science.
Video answer to “Why did the Arabs develop algebra?”
The word “algorithm” stems from the name of a Persian mathematician and scholar, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi. Al-Khwarizmi was a director in the House of Wisdom and made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, geography, and cartography. He introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals to the West and contributed to maths by showing how complex problems could be broken down into simpler parts and solved. This paved the way for the computer age, as the principles of algorithms became the foundation for modern computing.
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Short version: Yes. No. Not really.
Here’s the longer version of the story:
Modern algebra is largely the product of the last 3 or 4 centuries (and Europe was the epicenter). Its methods, concerns and problems would be entirely incomprehensible to the ancient world.
What people debate over are the origins of “school algebra”. This involves the following kind of word problem:
Whilst making love a necklace broke.
A row of pearls mislaid.
One third fell to the floor.
One fifth upon the bed.
The young woman saved one sixth of them.
One tenth were caught by her lover.
If six pearls remained upon the string
How many pearls were there altogether?The above is from one of the footnotes in Colebrooke’s translation (1817) of Bhaskara’s Lilavati [1].
The history of this algebra went through three stages: rhetorical (~2000 BCE-200 CE), semi-symbolic (~200 CE-1500 CE), and symbolic (1500 CE-). The semi-symbolic stage is also called the “syncopated” stage.
“Rhetorical” simply means algebra wa…
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Thereof, Why did Muslims create algebra?
Although it contained no specific innovations, and although it strictly followed the Islamic tradition of formulating and solving problems in purely rhetorical fashion, it was instrumental in communicating the Hindu-Arabic numerals to a wider audience in the Latin world.
Did the Arabs invent algebra? As a response to this: Arabic mathematicians established algebra as an independent discipline, and gave it the name "algebra" (al-jabr). They were the first to teach algebra in an elementary form and for its own sake.
Likewise, When did Arabs invent algebra?
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi was a 9th-century Muslim mathematician and astronomer. He is known as the “father of algebra”, a word derived from the title of his book, Kitab al-Jabr. His pioneering work offered practical answers for land distribution, rules on inheritance and distributing salaries.
Just so, What did the Arabs contribute to the development of math? As an answer to this: So in conclusion the Arab people had a huge and lasting influence on the world of mathematics because they transported key theories of the trigonometry of the sine, the base 10 place value system, approximation of pie by the circumscription of polygons, as well as the concept of zero to Europe and also because of Al-