Question

How did the adoption of the Indian numeral system by the Arabs impact mathematical understanding? Use a quote directly from Al Khwarizmi

Answer 1

Explanation:

Indeed, Al Khwarizmi (Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī) works on mathematics has impacted our understanding of mathematics today.

For example, Al Khwarizmi has been attributed as the founder of algebra, an interesting branch of mathematics. That is to say, if not for his works on algebra, we may not have had proper knowledge about solving equations (quadratic equations).

One of his interesting quote that reflects our modern understanding of mathematics is,

"When I consider what people generally want in calculating, I found that it always is a number. I also observed that every number is composed of units, and that any number may be divided into units. Moreover, I found that every number which may be expressed from one to ten, surpasses the preceding by one unit: afterwards the ten is doubled or tripled just as before the units were: thus arise twenty, thirty, etc. until a hundred: then the hundred is doubled and tripled in the same manner as the units and the tens, up to a thousand;… so forth to the utmost limit of numeration."