The story of the Arab scientist who changed the face of math and founded modern algorithms
When we talk about scientific revolutions that changed the course of civilization, we cannot ignore the name of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, the Arab scientist who broke new ground for mathematics, making numbers and calculations more accurate and efficient.
Every time we use a smartphone, book a ticket online, or even solve a simple equation, we are actually benefiting from the legacy of this genius scientist.
From Baghdad to the world: The beginning of a story of change
Al-Khwarizmi was born at the end of the eighth century AD in the Khorezm region (now Uzbekistan), but he lived and worked in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, where science and art flourished thanks to the support of the Abbasid caliphs.
In this scientific center, Al-Khwarizmi not only translated Indian and Greek knowledge, but also developed and expanded it, making him today considered the founder of algebra.
Algebra book: The moment a new science was born
Around 820 AD, Al-Khwarizmi wrote his most famous work:
"The Concise Book of Algebra and Matching."
This book wasn't just an explanation of math, it was an intellectual revolution, laying down the rules we use today to solve:
- Linear equations (first order).
- Quadratic equations (second order).
For the first time, mathematical thinking shifted from mere numerical calculations to abstract symbolic operations, opening the door to the development of mathematics as we know it today.
The word "algebra" (Algebra) entered the international languages thanks to this great book.
Algorithms: The secret to the digital age starts here
Not only that, but Al-Khwarizmi gave the world another equally important concept:
Algorithm, a series of logical steps to solve a problem.
All the computers, phones, and smart systems we rely on today are based on algorithms, i.e. methods formulated by Al-Khwarizmi more than 1,200 years ago!
Al-Khwarizmi's role in popularizing "Indo-Arabic" numbers
One of his greatest achievements was also in spreading the decimal number system (0-9) to the Muslim world, and from there to Europe, replacing the complex Roman numerals.
Did you know?
Al-Khwarizmi was the first to write systematically about the number zero and its use in calculations, making operations simpler and more accurate.
Influence on Europe and the Renaissance
Al-Khwarizmi's work was translated into Latin in the 12th century, and his book became the basis for teaching mathematics in European universities.
Thanks to him, terms like algebra and algorithm entered the lexicon of Western science, paving the way for scientists like Descartesand Newton.
A Living Legacy in Today's World
Every time you search Google, ask for a recommendation on Netflix, or deal with AI, you are, in one way or another, leveraging the principles laid out by Al-Khwarizmi centuries ago.
The world of Baghdad has changed the rules of the game and opened the doors of the digital world to mankind.
A shine to be proud of
At a time when the value of Arabic scienceis being rediscovered, Al-Khwarizmi's story remains a living example of how our minds can influence the course of humanity.
From algebra to algorithms, from zero to the digital age, it all started with the thought of an Arab scientist who believed in science and innovation.
