The New Hindu Arabic Numerals

Among the many scholars working in the House of Wisdom, there was Al-Khawarizmi, known as the father of algebra. Born around 800 in Baghdad, al-Khwarizmi worked in the House of Wisdom as a scholar. Being involved in the center’s translation of ancient scientific knowledge helped him develop a unique knowledge of the accumulated wisdom of the world. His importance lies in his discoveries of mathematical knowledge which was later transferred to Arab and European scholars. His masterpiece, a book of clear explanations of what would become algebra, was his entire life’s work compiled into one collection of information. The word algebra comes from the Arabic word, al-jabr, which means “completion”. In his work, al-Khwarizmi explains the principles of solving linear and quadratic equations, the concept that an equation can be created to find the value of an unknown variable. Another crucial work of al-Khwarizmi’s was The Book on the Art of Reckoning of the Hindus, which introduced the numbering system used in the Islamic culture to the west. This is the numerical system that is still used today and offered many advantages over the existing Roman numerals. An

The Islamic Golden Age introduced lots of innovative thought into the world, and eventually those ideas made their way into Europe, one of which was the Arabic numerals. Medieval European society was changed by the introduction of the Arabic numerals into their society because these numbers revolutionized the way that daily tasks, like merchant bookkeeping, and academia were approached. Medieval European understanding of mathematics, physical sciences, and accounting was transformed by the translation of texts into Latin, allowing Arabic numerals to become the primary numeric system and therefore easing the burdens of daily life in academia and bookkeeping.

After looking over the symbols they created and how they were simple and understanding, I realized that the Mayans were way ahead of their time. All they used were dots and lines and as a zero, it was just a rugby ball looking thing. Instead of creating 400 different symbols to create just the number 400, they used four symbols and just changed the combination of them differently. Forty used three symbols, one rugby ball symbol and two single dots. Four hundred used three symbols too, two rugby ball looking symbols and just one single dot. By far more the one of the better in complex number systems. Compared to the Aztecs, who had feathers for 400 and finger symbols for 1, the Mayan’s number system was easy, with just dots and lines.

In 1953 Arthur C. Clarke wrote “The Nine Billion Names of God”. This is a science fictive short story where we meet a group of lamas who wants to write the nine billion names of God. Atypically, the lamas will not use the ‘normal’ alphabet; but their own alphabet where they have invented and written in their holy books. In over three centuries they have been typing these names down, and it would take another fifteen thousand years for them to complete the chore. Therefore, they purchase a special computer, Mark V, from a company, which can calculate and write all the letters down. Compared to the fifteen thousand years the

This editorial is a part of the Fordham University’s Modern Source Book. This manuscript was produced to assist the student of past proceedings. Additionally, this summon was formed as a method of ensure the travel to compound pages on the website did not persist to collide the attendant (Fordham University, 2013). In assess the author’s credentials; Dr. Paul Halsall is a lecturer at Fordham University. Dr. Halsall has printed numerous publication over the ancient times decade (Alambda Archives, 2014). Dr. Halsall received his PH.D. from Fordham University. In spite of Dr. Halsall’s credentials, there

Arnold Pacey published Technology in World Civilization: A Thousand Year History in the year 1991. Arnold Pacey was an associate lecturer at The Open University in Britain as well as an author to three additional books: Meaning in Technology, The Maze of Ingenuity, The Culture of Technology. He published all four of his books within a ten-year span. Arnold Pacey was trained as an engineer but is well known as a historian of technology because of the conclusions he drew of society and technology and their relationship. Society is defined as the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community. Technology is defined as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. Technology influences every aspect of our lives today, but we often forget that it profoundly affected the lives of past generations dating back to the beginning of civilization. Perhaps not to today’s extent, but the impact was still dramatic. New inventions or innovations produced more food, created new processes and tools, made life easier and made war more devastating. This course traces the evolution of technology and its impact on civilization from the creation of elementary tools up to today’s latest devices and even looks into future technologies.

From the Abacus, the simplest form of calculating to the role of today’s computer, from the early telegraph to today’s satellite communications, from the simplest kite to today’s Jet Engine Airplanes, from the first liquid-fuelled rocket to today’s Space Shuttle, and much more to come, inventors, scientist, engineers, military forces and governments have all been responsible for those new discoveries made by mankind. “Perhaps the most misleading catch-phrase learned in childhood is that ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ creating social compulsions no one knows how to control.” (The Inventions, pg.8) In the 1980’s, people were embroiled in many problems related to the evolution of technology, from those created by the microchip to those unleashed by the H-bomb. In contrast, invention springs from a divine discontent with things the way they are and a conviction that man can do better.

Humans in nature are curious and this leads into finding or creating extraordinary things that may one day be value or question by many. As early civilizations emerge, the beginning of many wonders were developed and with great accuracy. Although there was a lack of technology, as we have today, one wonders how some items may have been developed. The Native Americans are just one particular example to analyze. Despite the lack of the tools we have today, their artwork is impeccable and with great accuracy. Their art work and constructions leave one to ponder on how those items were developed. Furthermore, one can also wonder on how records were kept. The number system that we have today was not available to them. Yet, they were able to have some sense of counting. In addition, Native Americans placed importance on specific numbers and this can be seen in both art and their activities.

The modern university does manifest itself in the Islamic world. The Golden Age of Islamic culture traces its roots back to the modern university. Throughout Islamic history, education was a point of pride and a field Muslims have always excelled in. The Islamic world was rich, diverse, and creative. Muslims became founders of the most major accomplishments in the world which later leads to western and world civilizations. The Muslims were most advanced in many fields such as mathematics, art, medicine, literature, and astronomy. It also led the way into the development of libraries and universities.

For example, 71, 745, and 7,923 all contain 7, but are all valued differently because the placement of the 7 is different. This system spread throughout the world to the Arabs, the Europeans, the Chinese, and the Japanese. However, it was first seen on the Indian King Asoka’s pillars (Whitfield, Traditions 42) and (M. Woods and Ma. Woods, 45-46).

The alphabet isn’t the only invention that is still used everyday. Another one of their inventions is the number Zero. Again, it was created to help merchants track their trading. The Phoenicians were the first to create bireme; which were fast galleys. They had the best quality boats for their time. Though the Phoenicians were not the first to create glass-molding, but they changed the way it was done; a technique that is still used today. Glass-workers from Phoenicia developed

The number “one” is not a thing. Math has no definitive reality. Numbers are a social construct, a system of symbols designed to express the abstractions through which properly developed societies explain aspects of reality. It follows that, as humanity seeks to understand more of what it is to exist, bigger numbers are needed. Soon, we need machines to understand the numbers. Society plants a base on information technology, efficiency, and a mechanical precision that is startling. What is desirable in a product is distilled to a formulaic essence and packaged neatly. Humans, too, are boiled down to science. Glossy shots, red lipstick, concrete biceps, and an ever-decreasing waistline

The Protogeometric and Geometric periods are good examples of such advanced thinking. The beginnings of the Protogeometric period display a distinct interest in mathematical order. During this period, artists decorated vases with circles and symmetrical patterns. As the dominant style changed from Protogeometric to Geometric, this order and precision was amplified. The popular ?circle and semicircle patterns were replaced by linear designs, zigzags, triangles, diamonds, and meanders? (Cunningham, 40). The increased interest in order seems to have been a reflection of the Greek fascination with nature, and man?s relationship to nature.

The renaissance was a time of “rebirth” and changing thoughts. The time of the renaissance was between the 14th century and went to the 17th century.Prior to the renaissance, people of the dark age devoted their life towards god, the changing thoughts of the renaissance lead people to devote their life to learning. The people’s top priority was no longer pleasing God and doing good for God, instead they began to change their priorities. God was still a big part of people’s lives but there was also a yearn for education. Mathematics was a big part of the renaissance, because it helped to make advancement in all areas of learning. The changing values to the Renaissance lead to advancements in mathematics which lead to new art techniques,

Mathematics has contributed to the alteration of technology over many years. The most noticeable mathematical technology is the evolution of the abacus to the many variations of the calculator. Some people argue that the changes in technology have been for the better while others argue they have been for the worse. While this paper does not address specifically technology, this paper rather addresses influential persons in philosophy to the field of mathematics. In order to understand the impact of mathematics, this paper will delve into the three philosophers of the past who have contributed to this academic. In this paper, I will cover the views of three philosophers of mathematics encompassing their