Al-Khorezmi, Father of Algebra (and much more!)
Born in Khiva around 780 CE, al-Khorezmi (or al-Khwarizmi meaning 'of Khwarizm', the original name of Khiva) was a great mathematician, scientist and author. He is considered the father of algebra (the word derives from the name of his book on the subject, Al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabilah, which became the standard mathematical book at European universities until the 16th century. He made an even more important contribution (hard to imagine….) in developing the concept of an algorithm. In this capacity, some consider him to be the grandfather of computer science. The word algorithm is derived from a Latin corruption of his name.
In addition to his original work, al-Khorezmi also synthesized the work of other great scholars of the era. After reviewing various numerical systems, he adopted the Hindu system (in the western world, we incorrectly call it the Arabic system) of numerals and was the first to recognize the importance of the number zero. It was through al-Khorezmi's work that this numerical system spread to the Middle East and then Europe and the rest of the world.
Beyond mathematics, al-Khorezmi made contributions to the field of geography by supervising the creation of a map of the world and to astronomy where he wrote about clocks, astrolabes and sundials.
At the time, Khiva was part of Persian Khorasan that was under the auspices of the Arab Abbasid caliphate administered from Baghdad. Al-Khorezmi moved to Baghdad early in his life and studied there at the House of Wisdom, a scientific research and teaching center.
Khiva, Uzbekistan
This photo is dedicated to good friend and scholar, O Bejeweled Land (Zendeh baad Azadi).
Explore #186 on July 26, 2010
Al-Khorezmi, Father of Algebra (and much more!)
Born in Khiva around 780 CE, al-Khorezmi (or al-Khwarizmi meaning 'of Khwarizm', the original name of Khiva) was a great mathematician, scientist and author. He is considered the father of algebra (the word derives from the name of his book on the subject, Al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabilah, which became the standard mathematical book at European universities until the 16th century. He made an even more important contribution (hard to imagine….) in developing the concept of an algorithm. In this capacity, some consider him to be the grandfather of computer science. The word algorithm is derived from a Latin corruption of his name.
In addition to his original work, al-Khorezmi also synthesized the work of other great scholars of the era. After reviewing various numerical systems, he adopted the Hindu system (in the western world, we incorrectly call it the Arabic system) of numerals and was the first to recognize the importance of the number zero. It was through al-Khorezmi's work that this numerical system spread to the Middle East and then Europe and the rest of the world.
Beyond mathematics, al-Khorezmi made contributions to the field of geography by supervising the creation of a map of the world and to astronomy where he wrote about clocks, astrolabes and sundials.
At the time, Khiva was part of Persian Khorasan that was under the auspices of the Arab Abbasid caliphate administered from Baghdad. Al-Khorezmi moved to Baghdad early in his life and studied there at the House of Wisdom, a scientific research and teaching center.
Khiva, Uzbekistan
This photo is dedicated to good friend and scholar, O Bejeweled Land (Zendeh baad Azadi).
Explore #186 on July 26, 2010