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Al-Khwarizmi

Overview

The man who gave us Algebra and Algorithms.

Missing Image
(Portrait)

What is it?

Persian scholar who introduced the Hindu-Arabic number system (0-9) to the Western world, replacing clunky Roman numerals.

History

780-850 AD. His book 'Al-Jabr' is the root of the word Algebra. His name is the root of the word 'Algorithm'.

Key Idea

He solved quadratic equations by literal 'completion', moving parts around to balance the scale.