Why are algorithms called algorithms? A brief history of the Persian polymath you’ve likely never heard of.

Over 1,000 years before the internet and smartphone apps, Persian scientist and polymath Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī invented the concept of algorithms.

By Debbie Passey. via @ConversationUK

https://theconversation.com/why-are-algorithms-called-algorithms-a-brief-history-of-the-persian-polymath-youve-likely-never-heard-of-229286

#books #mathematics #algorithm

Why are algorithms called algorithms? A brief history of the Persian polymath you’ve likely never heard of

Our modern lives are influenced by algorithms at every step. We can trace this influence back more than 1,200 years ago – to a Muslim mathematician.

The Conversation
@gutenberg_org While we (northern Europe) were burning books and witches, the Persians were inventing mathematics. There is a morale in there somewhere....
@gutenberg_org I'd heard a bit about why we have the words algorithm and algebra from one of my CS instructors but I really appreciate the extra details. I also thought it was two separate people until now.
@gutenberg_org I was just telling my sixth grade enrichment kids about this today.

There's a reason the names of many stars start with "AL" also. 🙂

@gutenberg_org