Proofs and algebra in al-Fārisī's commentary (Q2001450): Difference between revisions

While known today primarily for his work in optics and number theory, Kamāl al-Dīn al-Fārisī (1266/1267--1319), born in Persia, wrote a commentary on his teacher's Ibn al-Khawwām's book \textit{Magnificent benefits of the rules of calculation} in Isfahan during the period 1284--1301, with the stated purpose of providing Euclidean-stye proofs for the rules of arithmetic and algebra described by Ibn al-Khawwām. The paper addresses the problems encountered by al-Fārisī's attempt to integrate the mathematics of different cultures, such as the fact that ``Arabic arithmeticians worked with rational and irrational numbers, while Euclid's numbers are restricted to positive integers.'' A rule, a lemma, and a worked-out problem from al-Fārisī's commentary are translated and analyzed for this purpose, as they are emblematic for the kind of difficulties encountered in providing Euclidean-style approaches. The author also situates al-Fārisī in the context of his time, by giving examples from other mathematicians, such as Abū Kāmil, who had similar aims.