Al-Samawal

Al-Samawal al-Maghribi (1130–1180) was a Jewish mathematician and astronomer from Morocco who converted to Islam. He is best known for his work in algebra and for his early contributions to the understanding of the concept of a limit.

Life

Al-Samawal was born in 1130 in Morocco to a Jewish family. He converted to Islam at the age of 30. He lived in Baghdad, where he was a member of the intellectual circle of the physician and philosopher Ibn Rushd.

Work

Al-Samawal's most significant work is his Al-Bahir fi'l-jabr, an algebraic treatise that includes an early use of the concept of a limit. He also wrote on astronomy and medicine.

Al-Bahir fi'l-jabr

In Al-Bahir fi'l-jabr, Al-Samawal introduced the concept of raising a number to a power, which he described as repeated multiplication. He also introduced the concept of a limit, which he used to prove that the sum of an infinite geometric series is a finite number.

Astronomy

Al-Samawal also wrote on astronomy, including a treatise on the astrolabe, a device used for measuring the positions of celestial bodies.

Medicine

In addition to his work in mathematics and astronomy, Al-Samawal wrote on medicine. His medical writings include a treatise on the causes and treatment of paralysis.

Legacy

Al-Samawal's work in algebra and his early use of the concept of a limit have been recognized as significant contributions to the development of mathematics. His work in astronomy and medicine has also been recognized for its importance.

See also

• History of algebra
• History of astronomy
• History of medicine

References

Al-Samawal Resources
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