al-Khwārizmī

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al-Khwārizmī

Q: What is al-Khwārizmī famous for?

Al-Khwārizmī is famous for his mathematical works, which introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals and algebra to European mathematicians. In fact, the words algorithm and algebra come from his name and the title of one of his works, respectively.

Q: How did al-Khwārizmī become famous?

Al-Khwārizmī became famous for his mathematical works. He wrote a book on algebra from whose title the word algebra is derived, and he wrote a book on calculation that introduced to Europe the Hindu-Arabic numerals and how to do arithmetic with them.

Q: What were al-Khwārizmī’s major accomplishments?

Al-Khwārizmī’s major accomplishments were the books he wrote on mathematics and science. His mathematical books introduced the ideas of algebra and Hindu-Arabic numerals to Western mathematicians during the Middle Ages. His scientific works concerned geography and astronomy.

Muslim mathematician

Also known as: Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

In full:: Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī

Born:: c. 780

Died:: c. 850

Subjects Of Study:: algebra; algorithm; Hindu-Arabic numerals

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What is al-Khwārizmī famous for?

How did al-Khwārizmī become famous?

What were al-Khwārizmī’s major accomplishments?

al-Khwārizmī (born c. 780 —died c. 850) was a Muslim mathematician and astronomer whose major works introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals and the concepts of algebra into European mathematics. Latinized versions of his name and of his most famous book title live on in the terms algorithm and algebra. Al-Khwārizmī lived in Baghdad, where he worked at the “House of Wisdom” (Dār al-Ḥikma) under the caliphate of al-Maʾmūn. The House of Wisdom acquired and translated scientific and philosophic treatises, particularly Greek, as well as publishing original research. Al-Khwārizmī’s work on elementary algebra, Al-Kitāb al-mukhtaṣar fī ḥisāb al-jabr waʾl-muqābala (“The Compendious Book on ...(100 of 429 words)

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