Mathematician · 780 – 850
Al-Khwarizmi
Little-Known Facts
- The word 'algebra' derives from 'al-jabr' ('the restoring') in the title of his book.
- The Latinized form of his name, 'Algoritmi', became the word 'algorithm'.
Myths & Misconceptions
Did Al-Khwarizmi invent numbers we use today?
He did not invent the Hindu-Arabic numerals — they originated in India — but his works were crucial in spreading them and decimal calculation across the Islamic world and Europe.