Which Muslim developed al-jabr, otherwise known as algebra?

History · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021

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The Muslim mathematician who developed al-jabr, which is known as algebra today, was Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi. He worked in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the 9th century and is often referred to as the "father of algebra." His most famous book on the subject, "Al-Kitab al-Mukhtasar fi Hisab al-Jabr wa'l-Muqabala," translated as "The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing," introduced the fundamental methods of "al-jabr," which gave algebra its name.

Extra: Al-Khwarizmi's work in mathematics, particularly algebra, was revolutionary because it introduced a systematic way to solve linear and quadratic equations. His algebra was not abstract symbolism like today; rather, it was a collection of rules for manipulating and solving equations derived from practical problems related to inheritance, property, trade, and surveying.

The term "al-jabr" roughly translates to "restoration" or "completion," which refers to the process of moving terms from one side of an equation to the other to simplify the equation and eventually solve it. The book by al-Khwarizmi laid the foundation for subsequent mathematical development not only in the Muslim world but also in Europe after it was translated into Latin in the 12th century.

Al-Khwarizmi's contributions also extended beyond algebra into other areas such as trigonometry, astronomy, and geography. Moreover, he played a crucial role in introducing the concept of the algorithm (a term derived from a Latinized version of his name, Algoritmi) and the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, including the concept of zero, to the Western world. His impact on mathematics, science, and the development of computational processes is far-reaching and still recognized in various fields today.