I've read that the word "Algebra" is actually an English translation of an Arabic word, Al-Jabr? Definition?

Does this word still used commonly in the Arabic language, and is there a translation that it has today?



I found it interesting that this form of mathematics has a link to Arabic history. No idea why it surprises me, just didn't even think about it. :)I've read that the word "Algebra" is actually an English translation of an Arabic word, Al-Jabr? Definition?
If that surprises you, look up "Islamic Golden Age" or "Islamic Renaissance".



"Among the achievements of Muslim mathematicians during this period include the development of algebra and algorithms by the Persian and Islamic mathematician Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī, the invention of spherical trigonometry, the addition of the decimal point notation to the Arabic numerals, the discovery of all the trigonometric functions besides sine, al-Kindi's introduction of cryptanalysis and frequency analysis, al-Karaji's introduction of algebraic calculus and proof by mathematical induction, the development of analytic geometry and the earliest general formula for infinitesimal and integral calculus by Ibn al-Haytham, the beginning of algebraic geometry by Omar Khayyam, the first refutations of Euclidean geometry and the parallel postulate by Nasīr al-Dīn al-Tūsī, the first attempt at a non-Euclidean geometry by Sadr al-Din, the development of symbolic algebra by Abū al-Hasan ibn Alī al-Qalasādī, and numerous other advances in algebra, arithmetic, calculus, cryptography, geometry, number theory and trigonometry."



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Ren…



"There are three theories about the origins of Arabic Algebra. The first emphasizes Hindu influence, the second emphasizes Mesopotamian or Persian-Syriac influence and the third emphasizes Greek influence. Many scholars believe that it is the result of a combination of all three sources."



"The Muslim Persian mathematician Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī (c. 780-850) was a faculty member of the "House of Wisdom" (Bait al-hikma) in Baghdad, which was established by Al-Mamun. Al-Khwarizmi, who died around 850 A.D., wrote more than half a dozen mathematical and astronomical works; some of which were based on the Indian Sindhind. One of al-Khwarizmi's most famous books is entitled "Al-jabr wa'l muqabalah" or 'The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing', and it gives an exhaustive account of solving polynomials up to the second degree. The book also introduced the fundamental method of "reduction" and "balancing", referring to the transposition of subtracted terms to the other side of an equation, that is, the cancellation of like terms on opposite sides of the equation."



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_mat…I've read that the word "Algebra" is actually an English translation of an Arabic word, Al-Jabr? Definition?
From the book "ilm al-jabr ma’l-muqābala" (the science of restoration and equating like with like)I've read that the word "Algebra" is actually an English translation of an Arabic word, Al-Jabr? Definition?
BABYLONIANS HAD ALGEBRA

History of algebra

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Elementary algebra is the branch of mathematics that deals with solving for the operands of arithmetic equations. Modern or abstract algebra has its origins as an abstraction of elementary algebra. Historians know that the earliest mathematical research was done by the priest classes of ancient civilizations, such as the Babylonians, to go along with religious rituals. The origins of algebra can thus be traced back to ancient Babylonian mathematicians roughly four thousand years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_…





GREEK GEOMETRIC ALGEBRA...



Greek geometric algebra GREEK GEOMETRIC ALGEBRA MOVED ALL. CREATED GEOMETRIC ALGEBRA

See also: Greek mathematics

It is sometimes alleged that the Greeks had no algebra, but this is plainly false.[12] By the time of Plato, Greek mathematics had undergone a drastic change. The Greeks created a geometric algebra where terms were represented by sides of geometric objects,[13] usually lines, that had letters associated with them,[14] and with this new form of algebra they were able to find solutions to equations by using a process that they invented which is known as "the application of areas".[13] "The application of areas" is only a part of geometric algebra and it is thoroughly covered in Euclid's Elements.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_…