Mathematics

Mathematics

The geometric designs in Muslim art and architecture are based on knowledge about advanced mathematical principles. Muslim scholars greatly influenced the field of mathematics.

Muslims greatly advanced the study of mathematics. They based their work in part on ideas from ancient Babylon, India, and Greece. For example, scholars in Baghdad's House of Wisdom translated the works of the Greek mathematician Euclid (YOO-klid), as well as important texts from India. Then they adapted what they learned and added their own contributions.

Multiple Choice

Muslims did not greatly advanced the study of mathematics.

• true

• false

One of these Muslim scholars was the astronomer and mathematician al-Khwarizmi (ahl KWAR-iz-mee), who worked in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad in the 9th century. Al-Khwarizmi is best known as “the father of algebra.” In fact, the word algebra comes from the title of one of his books. It originated in an Arabic phrase, al-jabr, meaning “the reunion of broken parts.”

Algebra is used to solve problems involving unknown numbers. An example is the equation 7x + 4 = 25. Using algebra, we can figure out that in this equation, x represents 3. Al-Khwarizmi's famous book on algebra was translated into Latin in the 12th century and became one of the most important mathematics textbooks used in the universities of Europe.

The translation of another one of al-Khwarizmi's books helped to popularize Arabic numerals in Europe. Actually, Muslims learned this way of writing numerals, along with fractions and decimals, from Indian scholars. Arabic numerals were a big help to business and trade since, compared to earlier systems like Roman numerals, they made it easier for people to do calculations and check their work. We still use Arabic numerals today.

Muslims also spread the Indian concept of zero. In fact, the word zero comes from an Arabic word meaning “something empty.” Ancient peoples used written symbols for numbers long before anyone thought of using a symbol for zero. However, zero is very important in calculations. (Try subtracting 2 from 2. Without using zero, how would you express the answer?) Zero also made it easier to write large numbers. For example, zero allows people to distinguish between 123 and 1,230.

Multiple Choice

What accomplishments are Muslim mathematicians responsible for?

• the creation of algebra

• creating the number zero

Multiple Choice

Why is the Indian concept of zero, which Muslims helped spread, significant?

• Zero is not important in calculations. It also makes it harder to write large numbers, and to distinguish between numbers (for example, 123 and 1,230).

• Zero is important in calculations. It also makes it easier to write large numbers, and to distinguish between numbers (for example, 123 and 1,230).

Multiple Choice

What is a reason why al-Khwarizmi’s books were important to the field of mathematics?

• His famous book on algebra became one of the most important mathematics texts in European middle schools.

• His famous book on algebra became one of the most important mathematics texts in European universities.

Multiple Choice

What accomplishments are Muslim mathematicians responsible for?

• The creation of the number zero.

• Making the number zero popular