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Omar Al-Khayyam
(1044-1123 A.D.)
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Ghiyath al-Din Abul Fateh Omar Ibn Ibrahim al-Khayyam was
born at Nishapur, the provincial capital of Khurasan around
1044 A.D. (c. 1038 to 1048). Persian mathematician, astronomer,
philosopher, physician and poet, he is commonly known as Omar
Khayyam. Khayyam means the tent-maker, and although generally
considered as Persian, it has also been suggested that he could have
belonged to the Khayyami tribe of Arab origin who might have
settled in Persia. Little is known about his early life, except for the
fact that he was educated at Nishapur and lived there and at
Samarqand for most of his life. He was a contemporary of Nidham
al-Mulk Tusi. Contrary to the available opportunities, he did not
like to be employed at the King's court and led a calm life devoted
to search for knowledge. He travelled to the great centres of learning, Samarqand, Bukhara, Balkh and Isphahan in order to study
further and exchange views with the scholars there. While at
Samarqand he was patronised by a dignatory, Abu Tahir. He died at
Nishapur in 1123-24. |
A Commemorative Statue in Iran
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Algebra would seem to rank first among the fields to which he
contributed. He made an attempt to classify most algebraic equations, including the third degree equations and, in fact, offered
solutions for a number of them. 'This includes geometric' solutions
of cubic equations and partial geometric solutions of most other
equations. His book Maqalat fi al-Jabr wa al-Muqabila is a masterpiece on algebra and has great importance in the development of
algebra. His remarkable classification of equations is based on the
complexity of the equations, as the higher the degree of an equation,
the more terms, or combinations of terms, it will contain. Thus,
Khayyam recognizes 13 different forms of cubic equatlon. His
method of solving equations is largely geometrical and depends
upon an ingenious selection of proper conics. He also developed
the binomial expansion when the exponent is a positive integer.
In fact, he has been considered to be the first to find the binomial
theorem and determine binomial coefficients. In geometry, he
studied generalities of Euclid and contributed to the theory of
parallel lines.
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The Saljuq Sultan, Malikshah Jalal al-Din, called him to the new
observatory at Ray around 1074 and assigned him the task of
determining a correct solar calendar. This had become necessary in
view of the revenue collections and other administrative matters
that were to be performed at different times of the year. Khayyam
introduced a calendar that was remarkably accurate, and was named
as Al-Tarikh-al-Jalali. It had an error of one day in 3770 years and
was thus even superior to the Georgian calendar (error of 1 day in
3330 years).
His contributions to other fields of science include a study of
generalities of Euclid, development of methods for the accurate
determination of specific gravity, etc. In metaphysics, he wrote
three books Risala Dar Wujud and the recently discovered Nauruznamah. He was also a renowned astronomer and a physician.
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A Commemorative Bust in Bucharest
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Apart from being a scientist, Khayyam was also a well-known
poet. In this capacity, he has become more popularly known in the
Western world since 1839, when Edward Fitzgerald published an
English translation of his Rubaiyat (quatrains). This has since
become one of the most popular classics of world literature.
It should be appreciated that it is practically impossible to exactly
translate any literary work into another language, what to talk of
poetry, especially when it involves mystical and philosophical
messages of deep complexity. Despite this, the popularity of the
translation of Rubaiyat would indicate the wealth of his rich
thought.
Khayyam wrote a large number of books and monographs in the
above areas. Out of these, 10 books and thirty monographs have
been identified. Of these, four concern mathematics, three physics,
three metaphysics, one algebra and one geometry.
His influence on the development of mathematics in general
and analytical geometry, in particular, has been immense. His work
remained ahead of others for centuries till the times of Descartes,
who applied the same geometrical approach in solving cubics. His
fame as a mathematician has been partially eclipsed by his
popularity as a poet; nonetheless his contribution as a philosopher
and scientist has been of significant value in furthering the frontiers
of human knowledge.
This page last updated 10/11/2009 12:39 p.m.
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