Al-Khwarizmi · Mathematics

The Hindu-Arabic Numerals and the Algorithm

How Al-Khwarizmi’s second great book spread the Indian decimal place-value system - with its revolutionary zero - across the world, and how his Latinised name became the word <em>algorithm</em>.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned how Al-Khwarizmi’s book on Indian calculation spread the decimal place-value system and the zero, and how his name gave us the word algorithm . Explain what makes place-value notation so powerful and why the zero was essential to it.

Leads to Brahmagupta.

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