The man responsible for all the Algebra you had to labour through during your high school years. And unsurprisingly, his name is actually Algoritmi, like Algorithms (the mathematical technique he promoted to the world).
He was one of the many key figures and scholars of the original House of Wisdom (Bayt al Hikmah). The influential, yet forgotten pioneer: Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī or, as he was known in Europe: Algoritmi (born c.780—died c. 850).
Al Khwarizmi, was a ground breaking polymath, and a scholar of Geography, Mathematics and Astronomy. He was also reveared for the translation and interpretation of scientific and philosophical manuscripts, namely from the Greeks. And here is why you should know about him.
Spreading the Hindu-Arabic Numerals and Inventing the Decimal Point
Al Khawarizmi and his works (through scholars like Fibbonacci, a European student of Islamic Science) pushed forward the introduction and spread of the Hindu-Arabic Numerals, which is the numeral system we now use in everyday life. Whether it is checking the tumultuous Melbourne weather on your phone, buying a coffee from a University cafe or powering the very device that you are reading this article through; this system was and is undoubtedly much more efficient than the Roman Numeral system.
Here’s a simple example:
The Hindu-Arabic numerals have the ability to represent any given number, by using only 10 symbols: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and the zero (0), which the Roman system lacked. This is extremely efficient and reduces the difficulty in calculating complex, but also simple problems such as the basic task of presenting larger numbers.
The added difficulty with the Roman system is that you are required to calculate individual numbers, such as the number seven: which equates to “5+1+1” or VII; or the number four-hundred: which is “500-100” or CD.
For example:
The value of “four-thousand-eight-hundred-and-eighty-seven” looks like this in the Hindu-Arabic numerals:
٤٨٨٧ or 4887,
but it looks like this in the Roman system:
MMMMDCCCLXXXVII.
(Have fun calculating that one)
The Decimal Point
Al Khwarizmi’s biggest or most original contribution is not limited to the numerals we use today. The 9th century polymath first introduced and taught the world the use of the decimal point (that’s right, the decimal point didn’t even exist before Al Khwarizmi). For most of us, this is unimaginable – think of it – back then when they used to trade, they were not able to price their merchandise with a “x.99 cents” sign to trick us into thinking that the t-shirts we are buying are actually in the 20 dollar range ($29.99), rather than the 30 dollar range ($30). Thanks Khwarizmi…
Algebra | al-jabr | الجبر
In addition to introducing the decimal point, Al Khwarizmi is also a pioneer of another groundbreaking technique. A technique which allows solving more complex numbers and longer calculations through simplifying the variables within it and balancing the actions across the calculation. He named it “ḥisāb al-jabr wal-muqābala”, or “al-jabr” in short. And yes, that is Algebra, with which he also introduced to humanity the recipe for those algebraic problems – Algorithms
Despite the fact that Algebra is not something that the majority of people utilise on a daily basis, we cannot ignore the importance of algebra in mathematics, and ultimately in solving complex calculations and problems. Whether that be in the class rooms, our laboratories or with other more complex problems (engineering students, I’m looking at you).
The interesting thing is that his book did not use conventional equations. Rather, it used everyday problems such as inheritance or sale of land to explain this technique. Making it a hands-on and less theoretical textbook.
It is obvious how algebra revolutionised and progressed mathematics. O’Connor and Robertson describe the magnitude of this change effectively:
“It was a revolutionary move away from the Greek concept of mathematics which was essentially geometry. Algebra was a unifying theory which allowed rational numbers, irrational numbers, geometrical magnitudes, etc., to all be treated as “algebraic objects”. It gave mathematics a whole new development path so much broader in concept to that which had existed before, and provided a vehicle for future development of the subject.”
These are only some of the more consequential contributions by 9th century Muslim Scholar. Amongst other things are Khwarizmi’s popularisation of Arithmetic techniques, his treaties on cartography and his scholarship in astrolabes (which is an amazing instrument, and an amazing logo as well!). Al Khwarizmi, as part of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, was a key figure in the appropriation of Persian, Indian, Babylonian and Greek knowledge and had a lasting legacy in Mathematics, even up to this day.
Through this scholarship they have progressed not only the Islamic World, but all of humanity as well. And as a forgotten pioneer it is the responsibility of the ones who do know about these works and histories, to raise awareness and ultimately give credit where credit is due – because the history of thought, science and innovation roots back far further than the 1600s.
