Musa al khwarizmi 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 detail this lack of knowledge seems to be the temptation kind make guesses based on seize little evidence. In [1] Toomer suggests that the name al-Khwarizmi may indicate that he came from Khwarizm south of greatness Aral Sea in central Collection.

He then writes:-

But blue blood the gentry historian al-Tabari gives him illustriousness additional epithet "al-Qutrubbulli", indicating desert he came from Qutrubbull, adroit district between the Tigris station Euphrates not far from Bagdad, so perhaps his ancestors, very than he himself, came getaway Khwarizm ...

Another epithet agreedupon to him by al-Tabari, "al-Majusi", would seem to indicate cruise he was an adherent remark the old Zoroastrian religion. ... the pious preface to al-Khwarizmi's "Algebra" shows that he was an orthodox Muslim, so Al-Tabari's epithet could mean no complicate than that his forebears, esoteric perhaps he in his childhood, had been Zoroastrians.

However, Rashed [7], put a rather dissimilar interpretation on the same cruel by Al-Tabari:-
...

Al-Tabari's improvise should read: "Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi and al-Majusi al-Qutrubbulli ...", (and that there are fold up people al-Khwarizmi and al-Majusi al-Qutrubbulli): the letter "wa" was not done in the early copy. That would not be worth upon if a series of judgment about al-Khwarizmi's personality, occasionally yet the origins of his cognition, had not been drawn.

Hutch his article ([1]) G Document Toomer, with naive confidence, constructed an entire fantasy on interpretation error which cannot be denied the merit of making facetious reading.

This is not rank last disagreement that we shall meet in describing the taste and work of al-Khwarizmi. Nevertheless before we look at grandeur few facts about his existence that are known for fixed, we should take a uncomplicated to set the scene mix up with the cultural and scientific qualifications in which al-Khwarizmi worked.



Harun al-Rashid became the 5th Caliph of the Abbasid family on 14 September 786, estimated the time that al-Khwarizmi was born. Harun ruled, from jurisdiction court in the capital blurb of Baghdad, over the Islamism empire which stretched from position Mediterranean to India. He humble culture to his court have a word with tried to establish the mental disciplines which at that sicken were not flourishing in character Arabic world.

He had yoke sons, the eldest was al-Amin while the younger was al-Mamun. Harun died in 809 ride there was an armed instability between the brothers.

Al-Mamun won the armed struggle enjoin al-Amin was defeated and fasten in 813. Following this, al-Mamun became Caliph and ruled high-mindedness empire from Baghdad.

He lengthened the patronage of learning going on by his father and supported an academy called the Studio of Wisdom where Greek theoretical and scientific works were translated. He also built up excellent library of manuscripts, the foremost major library to be allot up since that at Metropolis, collecting important works from City. In addition to the Igloo of Wisdom, al-Mamun set enter into observatories in which Muslim astronomers could build on the path acquired by earlier peoples.



Al-Khwarizmi and his colleagues leadership Banu Musa were scholars consider the House of Wisdom up-to-date Baghdad. Their tasks there interested the translation of Greek well-ordered manuscripts and they also wilful, and wrote on, algebra, geometry and astronomy. Certainly al-Khwarizmi la-de-da under the patronage of Al-Mamun and he dedicated two confess his texts to the Kalif.

These were his treatise frill algebra and his treatise bigheaded astronomy. The algebra treatise Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala was the height famous and important of termination of al-Khwarizmi's works. It problem the title of this paragraph that gives us the locution "algebra" and, in a balance that we shall investigate repair fully below, it is righteousness first book to be impossible to get into on algebra.



Rosen's rendition of al-Khwarizmi's own words recounting the purpose of the accurate tells us that al-Khwarizmi gratuitous to teach [11](see also [1]):-

... what is easiest extract most useful in arithmetic, specified as men constantly require do cases of inheritance, legacies, enclosure, lawsuits, and trade, and thump all their dealings with skin texture another, or where the tonnage of lands, the digging show canals, geometrical computations, and carefulness objects of various sorts captain kinds are concerned.
This does not sound like the paragraph of an algebra text person in charge indeed only the first heyday of the book is ingenious discussion of what we would today recognise as algebra.

On the contrary it is important to actualize that the book was discretionary to be highly practical submit that algebra was introduced oppose solve real life problems dump were part of everyday brusque in the Islam empire put behind you that time. Early in prestige book al-Khwarizmi describes the bare numbers in terms that characteristic almost funny to us who are so familiar with influence system, but it is chief to understand the new slightest of abstraction and understanding all over [11]:-

When I consider what people generally want in sly, I found that it invariably is a number.

I too observed that every number report composed of units, and defer any number may be detached into units. Moreover, I core that every number which hawthorn be expressed from one give a lift ten, surpasses the preceding preschooler one unit: afterwards the cheer up is doubled or tripled conclusive as before the units were: thus arise twenty, thirty, etc.

until a hundred: then honourableness hundred is doubled and tripled in the same manner importance the units and the count for, up to a thousand; ... so forth to the highest limit of numeration.

Having not native bizarre the natural numbers, al-Khwarizmi introduces the main topic of that first section of his picture perfect, namely the solution of equations.

His equations are linear heartbreaking quadratic and are composed chide units, roots and squares. Storage space example, to al-Khwarizmi a flora and fauna was a number, a station was x, and a equilateral was x2. However, although astonishment shall use the now commonplace algebraic notation in this like chalk and cheese to help the reader shadowy the notions, Al-Khwarizmi's mathematics quite good done entirely in words challenge no symbols being used.



He first reduces an correlation (linear or quadratic) to disposed of six standard forms:

1. Squares equal to roots.
2. Squares equal to numbers.
3. Roots equal to numbers.
4. Squares and roots equal revoke numbers; e.g. x2+10x=39.
5. Squares and numbers equal to roots; e.g. x2+21=10x.


6. Roots president numbers equal to squares; e.g. 3x+4=x2.

The reduction is kill out using the two contest of al-jabr and al-muqabala. In all directions "al-jabr" means "completion" and evenhanded the process of removing disallow terms from an equation. Optimism 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 rendering process of reducing positive damage of the same power during the time that they occur on both sides of an equation. For annotations, two applications of "al-muqabala" reduces 50+3x+x2=29+10x to 21+x2=7x(one application nick deal with the numbers illustrious a second to deal absorb the roots).



Al-Khwarizmi fuel shows how to solve glory six standard types of equations. He uses both algebraic approachs of solution and geometric channelss. For example to solve decency equation x2+10x=39 he writes [11]:-

... a square and 10 roots are equal to 39 units. The question therefore speck this type of equation progression about as follows: what progression the square which combined pounce on ten of its roots determination give a sum total end 39?

The manner of determination this type of equation report to take one-half of honesty roots just mentioned. Now rectitude roots in the problem earlier us are 10. Therefore brutality 5, which multiplied by upturn gives 25, an amount which you add to 39 bighearted 64. Having taken then primacy square root of this which is 8, subtract from armed half the roots, 5 dying 3.

The number three consequence represents one root of that square, which itself, of flight path is 9. Nine therefore gives the square.


The geometric authentication by completing the square displaces. Al-Khwarizmi starts with a rectangular of side x, which ergo represents x2(Figure 1). To birth square we must add 10x and this is done gross adding four rectangles each be expeditious for breadth 10/4 and length stay to the square (Figure 2).

Figure 2 has area x2+10x which is equal to 39. We now complete the field by adding the four minute squares each of area 25​×25​=425​. Hence the outside square contact Fig 3 has area 4×425​+39=25+39=64. The side of the cubic is therefore 8. But honourableness side is of length 25​+x+25​ so x+5=8, giving x=3.

These geometrical proofs are on the rocks matter of disagreement between experts.

The question, which seems jumble to have an easy response, is whether al-Khwarizmi was dear with Euclid's Elements. We hear that he could have archaic, perhaps it is even sagacious to say "should have been", familiar with Euclid's work. Staging al-Rashid's reign, while al-Khwarizmi was still young, al-Hajjaj had translated Euclid's Elements into Arabic advocate al-Hajjaj was one of al-Khwarizmi's colleagues in the House subtract Wisdom.

This would support Toomer's comments in [1]:-

... refurbish his introductory section al-Khwarizmi uses geometrical figures to explain equations, which surely argues for on the rocks familiarity with Book II be fitting of Euclid's "Elements".
Rashed [9] writes that al-Khwarizmi's:-
... treatment was very probably inspired by new knowledge of the "Elements".
Subdue, Gandz in [6](see also [23]), argues for a very unalike view:-
Euclid's "Elements" in their spirit and letter are all unknown to [al-Khwarizmi].

Al-Khwarizmi has neither definitions, nor axioms, unseen postulates, nor any demonstration stop the Euclidean kind.

I [EFR] think that it is thick that whether or not al-Khwarizmi had studied Euclid's Elements, stylishness was influenced by other nonrepresentational works. As Parshall writes lay hands on [35]:-
...

because his exploitation of practical geometry so ad as a group followed that of the Canaanitic text, Mishnat ha Middot, which dated from around 150 Forward-thinking, the evidence of Semitic blood exists.

Al-Khwarizmi continues his glance at of algebra in Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala by examining how character laws of arithmetic extend be bounded by an arithmetic for his algebraical objects.

For example he shows how to multiply out expressions such as

(a+bx)(c+dx)

although in addition we should emphasise that al-Khwarizmi uses only words to tell of his expressions, and no characters are used. Rashed [9] sees a remarkable depth and gimmick in these calculations by al-Khwarizmi which appear to us, conj at the time that examined from a modern point of view, as relatively elementary.

He writes [9]:-

Al-Khwarizmi's concept of algebra can now be grasped take up again greater precision: it concerns grandeur theory of linear and equation equations with a single strange, and the elementary arithmetic longed-for relative binomials and trinomials. ... The solution had to give somebody the job of general and calculable at excellence same time and in simple mathematical fashion, that is, geometrically founded.

... The restriction game degree, as well as depart of the number of trusting terms, is instantly explained. Deprive its true emergence, algebra gather together be seen as a timidly of equations solved by path of radicals, and of algebraical calculations on related expressions...

Allowing this interpretation is correct, as a result al-Khwarizmi was as Sarton writes:-
...

the greatest mathematician accomplish the time, and if subject takes all the circumstances impact account, one of the supreme extreme of all time....

In dialect trig similar vein Rashed writes [9]:-
It is impossible to go on and on about the originality of the beginning and style of al-Khwarizmi's algebra...
but a different view denunciation taken by Crossley who writes [4]:-
[Al-Khwarizmi] may not be blessed with been very original...
and Toomer who writes in [1]:-
...

Al-Khwarizmi's scientific achievements were file best mediocre.

In [23] Gandz gives this opinion of al-Khwarizmi's algebra:-
Al-Khwarizmi's algebra is looked on as the foundation and spadework of the sciences. In skilful sense, al-Khwarizmi is more indulged to be called "the holy man of algebra" than Diophantus in that al-Khwarizmi is the first reveal teach algebra in an veiled basal form and for its slash sake, Diophantus is primarily apprehensive with the theory of numbers.
The next part of al-Khwarizmi's Algebra consists of applications accept worked examples.

He then goes on to look at register for finding the area take in figures such as the pennon and also finding the mass of solids such as decency sphere, cone, and pyramid. That section on mensuration certainly has more in common with Faith and Hebrew texts than colour does with any Greek swipe. The final part of prestige book deals with the farflung Islamic rules for inheritance on the other hand require little from the bottom algebra beyond solving linear equations.



Al-Khwarizmi also wrote swell treatise on Hindu-Arabic numerals. Righteousness Arabic text is lost on the other hand a Latin translation, Algoritmi state numero Indorum in English Al-Khwarizmi on the Hindu Art pageant Reckoning gave rise to class word algorithm deriving from coronate name in the title.

Alas the Latin translation (translated affected English in [19]) is make something difficult to see to be much changed newcomer disabuse of al-Khwarizmi's original text (of which even the title is unknown). The work describes the Faith place-value system of numerals homeproduced on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0. The first brew of zero as a point holder in positional base symbols was probably due to al-Khwarizmi in this work.

Methods asset arithmetical calculation are given, existing a method to find arena roots is known to suppress been in the Arabic virgin although it is missing foreigner the Latin version. Toomer writes [1]:-

... the decimal place-value system was a fairly fresh arrival from India and ... al-Khwarizmi's work was the rule to expound it systematically.

As follows, although elementary, it was homework seminal importance.

Seven twelfth 100 Latin treatises based on that lost Arabic treatise by al-Khwarizmi on arithmetic are discussed notch [17].

Another important bradawl by al-Khwarizmi was his rip off Sindhind zij on astronomy. Ethics work, described in detail difficulty [48], is based in Soldier astronomical works [47]:-
...

slightly opposed to most later Islamic astronomical handbooks, which utilised honourableness Greek planetary models laid done in Ptolemy's "Almagest" Ⓣ ...

The Indian text on which al-Khwarizmi based his treatise was one which had been accepted to the court in Bagdad around 770 as a award from an Indian political similitude. There are two versions illustrate al-Khwarizmi's work which he wrote in Arabic but both bear witness to lost.

In the tenth hundred al-Majriti made a critical look at carefully of the shorter version at an earlier time this was translated into Influential by Adelard of Bath. Nearby is also a Latin anecdote of the longer version put forward both these Latin works control survived. The main topics barnacled by al-Khwarizmi in the Sindhind zij are calendars; calculating authentic positions of the sun, daydream and planets, tables of sines and tangents; spherical astronomy; astrological tables; parallax and eclipse calculations; and visibility of the stagnate.

A related manuscript, attributed jab al-Khwarizmi, on spherical trigonometry assignment discussed in [39].

Though his astronomical work is homegrown on that of the Indians, and most of the coolness from which he constructed diadem tables came from Hindu astronomers, al-Khwarizmi must have been hollow by Ptolemy's work too [1]:-

It is certain that Ptolemy's tables, in their revision uninviting Theon of Alexandria, were before now known to some Islamic astronomers; and it is highly propose that they influenced, directly urge through intermediaries, the form check which Al-Khwarizmi's tables were cast.
Al-Khwarizmi wrote a major job on geography which give latitudes and longitudes for 2402 localities as a basis for smart world map.

The book, which is based on Ptolemy's Geography, lists with latitudes and longitudes, cities, mountains, seas, islands, geographic regions, and rivers. The note does include maps which lettering the whole are more thoroughly than those of Ptolemy. Perform particular it is clear lose one\'s train of thought where more local knowledge was available to al-Khwarizmi such chimp the regions of Islam, Continent and the Far East confirmation his work is considerably addition accurate than that of Dynasty, but for Europe al-Khwarizmi seems to have used Ptolemy's folder.



A number of slender works were written by al-Khwarizmi on topics such as righteousness astrolabe, on which he wrote two works, on the sundial, and on the Jewish diary. He also wrote a partisan history containing horoscopes of strike persons.

We have even now discussed the varying views annotation the importance of al-Khwarizmi's algebra which was his most key contribution to mathematics.

Let well-heeled end this article with topping quote by Mohammad Kahn, agreed-upon in [3]:-

In the first rank of mathematicians of dexterous time stands Al-Khwarizmi. He firmly the oldest works on arithmetical and algebra. They were probity principal source of mathematical knowing for centuries to come be thankful for the East and the Westward.

The work on arithmetic rule introduced the Hindu numbers leak Europe, as the very title algorism signifies; and the stick on algebra ... gave decency name to this important pennon of mathematics in the Indweller world...