Biography of Al Khawarizmi 780-850 AD, The Father of Algorithm and Inventor of Algebra from Uzbekistan
One of the biographies of Muslim figures that is no less important is Al Khawarizmi, the results of his invention were finally able to generate new changes, especially in the world of technology.
We know that the development of technology and all its devices, continues to progress, like flowing water, without stopping.
Of course you must already know this, because every age there are always new technologies that are getting more advanced and sophisticated.
The word algorithm comes from a Persian scientist, “Abu Ja’far Mohammed Ibn Musa al-Khowarizmi”, who wrote the book Al Jabr W’Al-Muqabala (The Rule of Recovery and Reduction), which was published in 825 AD.
This technological advancement cannot be separated from the development of various sciences in the past which has become the basis for technological developments until now. One of the scientists who played an important role in the development of technology, especially in the computer field, was Al Khawarizmi.
Muhammad ibn Musa Al Khawarizmi is known as a mathematician who discovered algebra and is also the father of algorithms. Of course, for some people who work as programmers or developers, they often use this algorithm in developing a program. So who is this Al Khawarizmi? Now, let’s get to know the father of this algorithm and the founder of this algebra.
Al Khwarizmi on a Soviet Union Postage Stamp
Al-Khwarizmi has the full name Muhammad ibn Musa Al Khwarizmi, while in western countries Al Khawarizmi is known as Al Gorismi, Al Cowarizmi, Al Goritmi, and other spelling designations.
Al Khawarizmi was born around 780 AD in Khawarizm, now his birthplace is known as the city of Khiva in Uzbekistan.
His family is of Persian descent who has settled in Khawarizm, but from several historical records it is known that when he was small he moved with his family to the south of Baghdad, so it was here that he started his career as a mathematician.
It is believed that he lived during the time of the Abbasid Caliphs Al-Ma’mun, Al-Mu’tashim and Al-Watsiq, which is considered the golden age of knowledge in the Arab region through the translation of books and sciences awake into Arabic.
At that time, there was Bait Al-Hikmah as a center for research, translating books into Arabic and also a place for scientific publications for Muslim scholars, including Al Khwarizmi.
Al Khawarizmi joined other scholars at Bait Al-Hikmah at the age of 20. During his lifetime, he worked at an honorary school founded by Caliph Al-Ma’mun. It was there that he wrote many of his ideas and published scholarly works in mathematics, astronomy, history and geography, including studies of translations of Sanskrit and Greek literature.
Kitab al-Jabar (Al-Kitāb al-mukhtaṣar fī isāb al-jabr wa-l-muqābala) is the first published work and describes a linear systematic solution, and quadratic notation. It is thanks to this work that he is called the father of algebra, not to mention that the book also contributed to linguistics. The word al-jabar comes from the word al-Jabr which is listed in his book.
The results of his thoughts in the book al-Jabar are considered a major revolution in the field of mathematics. Because Al Khawarizmi succeeded in integrating geometric concepts from ancient Greek mathematics into modern mathematical concepts. His thoughts resulted in a unified theory that allowed rational, irrational, and geometrical quantities to be treated as algebraic objects.
Apart from that, Al Khwarizmi also contributed to the arithmetic branch, the results of his thoughts on this field were set forth in his work entitled Kitāb al-Jam’a wa-l-tafrīq bi-ḥisāb al-Hind . And the book is known as the first science book written using the decimal number system.
The theory discussed in the book is the starting point for balancing mathematics and science and it is also from this book that the forerunner of the algorithm emerged.
Its success was not only enjoyed by residents of Seita, but also parts of Europe. It is evident that many of his works have been translated into Latin as Algorithmic, Algorismi, and Alchawarizmi so that in western literature Al Khwarizmi is known as Algorizm.
This term is then used to refer to the concept of an algorithm which he discovered in logarithmic calculations which are now widely used, especially in the field of computers or science and engineering, which originate from his ideas.
Not only that, the binary mathematics used in programming is also based on Al Khawarizmi’s algorithm concept. The increasingly advanced developments for digital computers and their programming are inseparable from his thoughts as the gate of progress.
The word algorithm itself that we know today is a word taken from the word algorithm which is Latinized from its name.
However, Al Khawarizmi’s life was not too long, and it is estimated that he died in 850 AD during his lifetime his work was not only about mathematics but many fields of science were also influenced by the results of his thoughts.
As in the field of geography, he perfected the Ptolemaic map in his work entitled Kitāb ṣūrat al-Arḍ and according to Paul Gallez, this is very useful for determining our position in bad conditions.
The Influence of Al Khwarizmi in the Field of Science
Al Khwarizmi has had many influences on the development of world science, including the following:
- Finding the algebraic concept that we know today through the Al-Jabr book which contains linear and quadratic equations.
- He was the first to explain and popularize the use of zero (0) and to introduce the system of decimal notation and the multiplication sign of two.
- Introduces negative signs to numbers.
- Make an astronomical calculation table to measure the distance and depth of the earth. This table is also the basis for research in the field of astronomy.
- The model for making world maps is written in the book ṣūrat al-Arḍ which is used by western geographers in drawing maps.
- Discovered the concept of a sundial timepiece in the sundials book.
- Discover the basic concepts of algorithms by discussing the rules for performing arithmetic using Hindu-Arabic numbers and systematic solutions.
There are many other works of his during his lifetime that affect science today. Apart from being a mathematician, Al Khawarizmi is also a geographer, astronomer, astrologer, historian, and even a theory about the art of music and painting which he wrote in his book.
He is an intelligent figure in various fields and is a reflection of the true Muslim identity. As a Muslim, you should be proud and at the same time be a whip for those of you who are often lazy or are lying down.
Al Khawarizmi in Computer Field
Mathematics has basically played a very important role in the development of computers and technology since time immemorial and this role is not small but very large, which cannot be separated from the role of Al Khwarizmi. However, only a few people remember Al Khawarizmi’s services.
Algorithms cannot be separated and always coexist with increasingly advanced technological developments. Even artificial intelligence technology cannot be intelligent without an algorithmic system in its programming.
According to David Berlinski in his book “The Rise of Algorithms: Ideas to Rule the World” there are two pervasive ideas, the first is computation, and the second is an algorithm. Calculus is the idea that made modern science a reality. Algorithms are the concept of efficient procedures that make the modern world possible.
Apart from algorithms, one of Al Khwarizmi’s significant contributions to the development of the computer field was the introduction of the number zero in the Arabic numbering system, which was later adapted to the computer field. The number 0 itself is part of the binary code and is the basis of everything called a number, and the formation of computer programs is no exception.
The number 0 itself was reused by George Boole, a British mathematician, and logician, to form a Boolean algebra. According to him, the concept of algebra itself is one of the concepts discovered by Al Khawarizmi.
Boolean algebra played an important role in the development of numbers to represent logical forms and expressions in algebraic and logical notation through formulas that operate on 0 and 1.
Did you know that the theory of the algorithm invented by Al-Khawarizmi is now being used by Google? Not only that, but today’s best games also use perfect algorithm programs, for example, online slot games, which have lots of players around the world.
Al-Khwarizmi’s work
Among the most phenomenal works of Al Khwarizmi and widely used in various sciences are;
- He has created the use of scans and tangens in trigonometry and astronomical investigations printed in Al-Jabr wa’l Muqabalah
- He has submitted examples of mathematical problems and put forward 800 problems, most of which are problems raised by Neo. Babylonian in the form of allegations that have been proven true by al-Khwarizmi in Hisab al-Jabr wa al-Muqabalah
- He has introduced the concept of character and it is important in today’s Number system in Number System. This one work contains Cos, Sin, and Tan in solving trigonometric equations. As well as calculating the area of triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles in geometry and triangle theorems.
Conclusion
From Al Khawarizmi’s life story, we can learn one important thing, namely work. It is through these works that you can be remembered and remembered and to be able to make works of course you must have the ability and ability is the fruit of the learning process.
Therefore, if you want to create work in the form of a program or in the IT field, you should develop your skills by studying at Dicoding, check the list of classes here.