History of Algebra

Mesopotamia geometry

3300 BCE

Mesopotamians used clay for numbers and decorated their homes with pottery and mosaics in geometrical patterns. They also had a number system based on clay tablets using the cuneiform patterns of writing.

Egyptian Rhind Papyrus

1650 BCE

The Rhind Papyrus is an ancient Egyptian book that is an instruction manual for algebra. It contains how to solve algebraic expressions as well as many other math knowledge such as how multiplying and dividing was used at the time. It also gives some information about unit fractions and prime numbers. Egyptians also used hieroglyphics as numbers and measurements were used compared to body parts.

Pythagoras

540 BCE

Pythagoras uses geometrical strategies and visuals to solve equations. He also formulated principles that great Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle used and contributed to mathematics.

Diophantus

299

Diophantus makes great strides toward understanding algebra. He wrote many books dealing with solving algebra that was very advanced at the time and is said to have influenced the number theory. He was and is still known as 'the father of algebra.'

Indians develop zero

500

The concept of zero is given credit to people in India in the 5th century. Before this concept was known many mathematicians had trouble performing simple calculations.

Brahmagupta

780

Brahmagupta replace unknown quantities with letters. He also explained how to find the cube-root of an integer and helped with solving square roots. He also helped develop the zero property of addition and multiplication. (1 x 0 = 0, 1 + 0 = 1)

Al-Khwarizmi

900

Al-Khwarizmi makes a arabic book of algebra of basic theories of equations. He also introduced algebra into European mathematics. During his work he introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals.

Abu-Kamil

900

Abu-Kamil proves the basic laws of algebra and solved complicated problems such as finding variables like x. He was taught by Al-Khwarizmi and applied algebraic methods to geometrical problems.

Gerolamo Cardano

1545

Gerolamo Cardano publishes a book on solving cubic equations. He is said to be the best mathematician at his time and was also a famous physician. His book “Practice of Mathematics and Individual Measurements” contained the solution on cubic equations.

Thomas Harriot

1637

In Thomas Harriot's book “Application of Analytical Art to Solving Algebraic Equations” he introduces the signs of greater than and less than (known as <+>) He also founded the English school of algebra. He kept most of his studies private.

Citations

Jan 11, 2017

http://www.math.tamu.edu/~dallen/masters/egypt_babylon/babylon.pdf
https://www.preceden.com/timelines/282147-history-of-algebra
http://www.storyofmathematics.com/egyptian.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/about/history/
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/important-events-in-math
http://www.storyofmathematics.com/mathematicians.html
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/history-of-algebra--4
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Girolamo-Cardano