Medieval Arabic algebra as an artificial language

MaRDI QIDQ935697zbMATH OpenFDO

Authors Jeffrey A. Oaks

Publication date 7 August 2008

Published in Journal of Indian Philosophy (Search for Journal in Brave)

zbMATH Keywords

Arabic algebra

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

History of mathematics in the Golden Age of Islam (01A30)

Review text

This is an informative survey of Arabic algebra, emphasizing its artificial language nature, its uses and applications. It raises and answers the question why Arabic algebra remained a method of solving specific problems and did not develop into a theory like geometry. The reason is seen precisely in the existence of Greek geometry, ``an edifice which already satisfied the theoretical needs of mathematicians and scientists, and the absence of a ``motive to oust geometry at [that] time in history.

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Cited in

(10)

• Mathematical symbols as epistemic actions
• Une Arithmétique médiévale en langue provençale
• Practicing algebra in Late Antiquity: the problem-solving of Diophantus of Alexandria
• Situating the Debate on “Geometrical Algebra” within the Framework of Premodern Algebra
• Irrational ``coefficients in Renaissance algebra
• Artificial languages across sciences and civilizations
• Zero and nothing in medieval Arabic arithmetic
• Formalism and language in the beginnings of Arabic algebra
• Simplifying equations in Arabic algebra
• Artificial languages in the mathematics of ancient China

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