The Origin of Algebra

First presentation

From a talk at Homeokinetics 1998, a conference held at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, July 25-26, 1998, in honor of the 80th birthday of Arthur Iberall, the creator of homeokinetics.

Abstract

This paper is devoted to a fantasy on the origin of algebra ca 820 AD at the Bait al Hikma, Baghdad. The approach is typical of dynamical historiography, which is the application of dynamical systems theory (including the mathematical theory of chaos and bifurcations) to history. In this case we view cultural diffusion and bifurcation from the perspective of reaction-diffusion equations, that is, as if layers of culture were diffusing and reacting chemicals.

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Writing systems
    • Glyphs
    • Cuneiform
    • Hieroglyphics
    • Alphabets
    • Calligraphy
  3. Number systems
    • Cuneiform
    • Alphabetic
    • Hindu
  4. The birth of algebra
  5. Conclusion
  6. References

Illustrations
Revised and Copyright 07 August 1998 by Ralph H. Abraham