Al-Khwarizmi: The Beginnings of Algebra

Al-Khwarizmi’s Algebra ( Kitab al-Jabr wa-al-muqabala ), written around 820, was the first scientific text in history to systematically present algebra as a mathematical discipline that is independent of geometry and arithmetic. Roshdi Rashed has produced the first Arabic critical edition of Al-Khwarizmi’s work, containing an annotated translation into English, an introductory essay, and extensive commentaries on the text.

Roshdi Rashed is a leading authority in the history and philosophy of science and mathematics. He is senior director of research at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris, and is a former professor at the University of Tokyo.