Mathematics in Islamic Society

Becca and Hank

 Location of Mathematicians
• Born throughout Islamic Empire
• Turkey, Nishapur, Aral Sea
• All flourished in Baghdad
Tracing Mathematic progression
throughout the Islamic era and
development of concepts that
we still use today
 MOHAMMAD BIN MUSA
AL-KHAWARIZMI
• Father of algebra
• Analytical solutions to linear and quadratic
equations
• Zero
• Decimals
• Algorithms-formal procedure of calculating
• Introduce “Arabic numerals”
• Trigonometry tables-sine
 MOHAMMAD BIN MUSA
AL-KHAWARIZMI
• Geometric representation of conic sections
• Calculus of two errors
• Collaborate with Mamun
al-Rashid on degree
measurement
 YAQUB IBN ISHAQ AL-
KINDI
• 4 books on number system
• Foundations of modern arithmetic
• Spherical geometry-astronomy
 JAMSHID AL-KASHI

• Al-Kashi’s greatest contribution was the

calculation of Pi
• He calculated that Pi was
3.1459265358979325 the only digit wrong
in this approximation was the five at the
end.
 THABIT IBN QURRA
• Traditional geometry and geometric algebra
• Theories
• Non-Euclidean geometry
• Spherical trigonometry
• Real numbers
• Integral calculus
 THABIT IBN QURRA
• Apply arithmetical terminology to
geometric quantities
• Study conic section-parabola and ellipse
• Determine surfaces and volumes
ABUL WAFA MUHAMMAD
AL-BUZJA
• Geometry
• Use compass
• Square equivalent to other squares
• Regular polyhedra
• Regular hexagon and equliateral triangle
• Parabola by points
• Geometric solution to
• x^4=a and x^4+ax^3=b
ABUL WAFA MUHAMMAD
AL-BUZJA
• Trigonometry
• Relate sine theorem to spherical triangles
• New method of sine tables
• Sin30 correct to eighth decimal place
• 2 sin2 (a/2) = 1 - cos a and sin a = 2 sin (a/2) cos
(a/2) developed
• Table of tangents
• Secant and cosecant
 OMAR AL-KHAYYAM
• Algebra
• Classify equations-based on complexity, degree,
number of terms
• Offer solutions-cubic equations
• Binomial theorem, binomial coefficients
• Contribute to theory of parallel lines
 NASIR AL-DIN AL-TUSI
• Trigonometry
• Compiled as a subject of study
• 6 formulas for the solutions of spherical
right angle triangles
 Bibliography
• “The Islamic Tradition.” John B. Christopher.
Harper and Row Publishers. 1972. p 123-125.
• “Great Moments in Mathematics, Before
1650.” Howard Eves. The Mathematical
Association of America. 1983. p 160.
• http://www.ummah.net/history/scholars/