A close investigation o f O ld Babylonian second-degree algebra shows that its method and conceptualization are not arithm etical and rhetorical, as is grosso modo the al-jabr presented by A l-K hw ârizm î. Instead, it appears to be based on a “ naive” geom etry o f areas very similar to that used by lbn T urk and A l-K hw ârizm î in their justifications o f the algorithms used in al-jabr to solve the basic mixed second-degree equations. This raises in a new light the question whether the early Islam ic use o f geometric justifications was a graft o f Greek methods
upon a “ sub-scientific” m athem atical tradition, as often maintained, or the relation o f early Islam ic algebra to its sources must be seen differently.
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | May 1, 1986 |
| Published in Issue | Year 1986 Volume: 2 Issue: 5 |