Who is the father of algebra?

The title "father of algebra" is most commonly attributed to Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (c. 780 – c. 850 CE), a Persian mathematician and astronomer from the House of Wisdom in Baghdad.

• Why al-Khwarizmi? His book, Al-Kit?b al-mukhta?ar f? ?is?b al-jabr wa?l-muq?bala ("The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing"), provided a systematic approach to solving linear and quadratic equations. The term "al-jabr" from the book's title is the origin of the word "algebra."
• What were his contributions?
• He introduced systematic methods for solving equations, such as "al-jabr" (restoring or completion, referring to transposing terms) and "al-muqabala" (balancing or reduction, referring to simplifying terms on opposite sides of an equation).
• His work was practical, aiming to solve problems in areas like inheritance, trade, and surveying.
• He treated algebraic objects (like unknowns) as entities that could be manipulated.
• Were there earlier contributions? Yes, ancient civilizations like the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Indians also worked on problems that would now be considered algebraic. For example, Diophantus of Alexandria (3rd century CE) worked extensively on what are now called Diophantine equations. However, al-Khwarizmi's work was pivotal in establishing algebra as a distinct and systematic discipline.
• Key Takeaway: Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi is widely recognized as the "father of algebra" for his systematic treatment of solving equations and for establishing algebra as a distinct field of study.