Overview
Offers English readers the very first complete translation of Jamshid al-Kashi’s historic book on arithmetic
Provides new insights into the history of mathematics
Contains scans of the source manuscript next to the translation, which serve to highlight the meticulousness of the translation
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Table of contents (2 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Jamshīd al-Kāshī’s Miftāḥ al-Ḥisab (Key to Arithmetic) was largely unknown to researchers until the mid-20th century, and has not been translated to English until now. This book begins a multi-volume set that finally brings al-Kāshī’s groundbreaking textbook to English audiences in its entirety. As soon as it was studied by modern researchers, it changed some false assumptions about the history of certain topics in mathematics. Written as a textbook for students of mathematics, accounting, engineering, and architecture, Miftah covers a wide range of topics in arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. By sharing al-Kāshī’s most comprehensive work with a wider audience, this book will help establish a more complete history of mathematics, and extend al-Kāshī’s influence into the 21st century and beyond.
The book opens by briefly recounting al-Kāshī’s biography, so as to situate readers in the work’s rich historical context. His impressive status in the kingdom of Ulugh Beg is detailed, as well as his contributions to both mathematics and astronomy. As a master calculator and astronomer, al-Kāshī’s calculations of 2π and sin(1⁰) were by far the most accurate for almost two centuries. His law of cosines is still studied in schools today. The authenticity of this translation contributes to the understanding and appreciation of al-Kāshī’s esteemed place in the scientific world. A side-by-side presentation of the source manuscript—one of the oldest known copies—and the English translation is provided on each page. Detailed footnotes are also provided throughout, which will offer readers an even deeper look at the text’s mathematical and historical basis.Researchers and students of the history of mathematics will find this volume indispensable in filling in a frequently overlooked time period and region. This volume will also provide anybody interested in the history of Islamic culture with an insightful look at one of the mathematical world’s most neglected figures.
Reviews
“This book would … be very useful for all mathematics teachers who would like to integrate a historical perspective in their teaching: they will find didactic procedures, original presentations and new problems.” (Marc Moyon, zbMATH 1437.01002, 2020)
Authors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Al-Kāshī's Miftāḥ al-Ḥisab, Volume I: Arithmetic
Book Subtitle: Translation and Commentary
Authors: Nuh Aydin, Lakhdar Hammoudi
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14950-5
Publisher: Birkhäuser Cham
eBook Packages: Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Statistics (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-14949-9Published: 10 June 2019
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-14952-9Published: 15 August 2020
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-14950-5Published: 23 May 2019
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: VII, 241
Number of Illustrations: 112 illustrations in colour
Topics: History of Mathematical Sciences