Terry Moore: Why is 'x' the unknown?

The video explores why the letter X represents the unknown, tracing its origins from Arabic to European languages. It highlights the logical nature of Arabic, which influenced Western science and mathematics, including algebra. The translation of Arabic texts into European languages faced challenges due to phonetic differences, particularly with the letter 'sheen' and the word 'shayun'. To overcome this, translators used the Greek letter 'Kai', which later became 'X' in Latin, forming the basis for mathematics textbooks for centuries.

How did the Arabic language influence the development of mathematics in Europe?

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What challenges did Medieval Spanish scholars face when translating Arabic mathematical texts?

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Explain the transformation of the Arabic word 'shayun' into the Latin letter X.

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What is the significance of the letter X in representing the unknown?

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Why is it said that you can't say 'sh' in Spanish, and how does this relate to the letter X?

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