Contents
Al-Khwarizmi
Writing a foundational algebra treatise and helping transmit positional arithmetic.
Al-Jabr · Arithmetic treatise
- Born
- c. 780
- Birthplace
- Birthplace uncertain; associated with Khwarazm
- Died
- c. 850
More people
Al-Khwarizmi
A scholar of the Abbasid period who worked in Baghdad on mathematics, astronomy and geography. Both algebra and algorithm preserve connections to his writings and name.
Early life
Sparse biography
Few reliable details of his childhood survive; his lifespan is usually placed around 780–850.
Scholarly setting
Worked in the intellectual world associated with the Abbasid court in Baghdad.
Career
- Early 9th century
Baghdad scholarship
Worked under Abbasid patronage.
- c. 820
Algebra treatise
Explained systematic methods for linear and quadratic problems.
- 9th century
Other sciences
Compiled works on arithmetic, astronomy and geography.
Contributions
Al-Jabr
Used balancing and completion to solve mathematical problems.
Arithmetic treatise
Helped transmit calculation using Hindu-Arabic numerals.
Geographical work
Reworked geographical knowledge and coordinates.
Context & legacy
Practical mathematics
His algebra addressed problems including inheritance and measurement.
Transmission
Later Latin translations carried his methods into European scholarship.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Image is a historical or commemorative representation ↗Photo: Zarateman. CC0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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