Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Biography of Abul Wafa - The Mathematicians Genius

Muslim mathematicians phenomenal in the golden era of Islam was not only Al-Khwarizmi. In the 10th century AD, Islamic civilization is also a mathematician who once had no less powerful than Khwarizmi. Muslim mathematician whose name is somewhat less familiar sounds were named Abul Wafa Al-Buzjani. "He is one of the greatest mathematicians who have the Islamic civilization," said Mr. History of Science, George Sarton in his book titled Introduction to the History of Science. [Read Indonesian]

Abul Wafa was a versatile scientist. In addition to good in the field of mathematics, he was renowned as a famous engineer and astronomer of his time.

Gait and recognized his thinking in the sciences of Western civilization. As a form of recognition for his services to develop astronomy, astronomy organization mengabadikannya world became the name of one crater month. In the field of mathematics, Abul Wafa also contributed very much important for the development of science that count.

"Abul Wafa was the greatest mathematician in the 10th century AD," said Kattani. Imagine. Throughout his life, the science of employees have rendered a series of important innovations gave birth to the science of mathematics. He was recorded to write a critique of the idea Eucklid, Diophantos and Al-Khwarizmi's treatise has been lost unfortunately. The scientist had bequeathed the Book of Al-Us (Complete Book) which deals with arithmetic (arithmetic) practical. Other contributions are not less important in mathematics is the Book of Al-Handasa who reviewed the application of geometry. He also made ​​a large contribution in developing trigonometry.

Abul Wafa was recorded as the first mathematician who coined the general formula sinus. In addition, the mathematicians also sparked a new method to form the sinus table. He also confirmed the value of sine 30 degrees to where desimel eighth. Even more impressive again, Abul Wafa make a special study of tangent and compute a tangent table.

If you ever studied mathematics would never know the term secan and co secan. Apparently, Abul Wafa was the first to introduce a mathematical term that is very important. Abu Wafa was known to be a genius in the field of geometry. He was able completion of geometry issues with very agile.

Fruit thinking in mathematics is very influential in the Western world. In the 19th century AD, Baron Carra de Vaux had taken a coined the concept secan Abul Wafa. Unfortunately, in the Islamic world in fact his name is rarely heard. Almost never, Islamic civilization history lesson that is taught in the country to review and introduce the figure and thought of fruit Abul Wafa. How ironic.

Indeed, all-around scientist named Abu al-Wafa Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Yahya Ibn Ismail Ibn Abbas al-Buzjani. He was born in Buzjan, Khurasan (Iran) on June 10, 940/328 H. He studied mathematics from his uncle named Abu Omar al-Maghazli and Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Ataba. Meanwhile, the science of geometry known from Abu Yahya al-Marudi and Abu al-Ala 'Ibn Karnib.

Abul Wafa grew up in the era of awakening of a new Muslim dynasty that ruled Iran in the region. Buwaih Dynasty named it the Persian power in the region - Iran and Iraq, in the year 945 until 1055 AD Buwaih Sultanate flag stuck in between periods of transition of power from Arabic to Turkish. Dynasty derived from Turkish tribes were able to overthrow the rule of the Abbasid dynasty centered in Baghdad at the time of Ahmad Buyeh leadership.

Buwaih Dynasty moved the capital city of Baghdad when his government to Adud Ad-Dawlah ruled from 949 until 983 AD Ad-Dawlah Adud government strongly supports and facilitates the scientists and artists.

Support is what makes Abul Wafa decided to migrate from his hometown to Baghdad. The scientists from Khurasan was then decided to dedicate himself to science in the court ad-Dawlah Adud in the year 959 AD Abul Wafa was not the only mathematician who devoted himself to science in the palace.

Another mathematician who also worked at the palace Adud ad-Dawlah among others, Al-Quhi and Al-Sijzi. In the year 983 AD, a succession of leadership in Buwaih Dynasty. Adyd ad-Dawlah replaced his son called Sharaf ad-Dawlah. Just like his father, the new sultan was also strongly supports the development of mathematics and astronomy. Abul Wafa was more comfortable working in the palace.

Love of the sultan in astronomy soared when he wanted to build an observatory. Abul Wafa and his friend Al-Quhi sulatan even realize his ambition. Obser vatorium astronomy was built in the park is tana sultan in Baghdad. Abul Wafa's hard work was successful. The observatory was officially opened in June 988 AD

To observe the stars from the observatory, in particular Abul Wafa build a wall quadrant. Unfortunately, the observatory did not last long. Once Sultan Sharaf ad-Dawlah died, the observatory was then closed. A series of major works have been produced Abul Wafa during dedicated himself in the palace of the sultan Buwaih.

Some valuable books he wrote, among others; Book fima Yahtaju Ilaihi al-Kuttab wa al-Ummal min 'Ilm al-Hisab a book on arithmetic. Two copies of the book, unfortunately not complete, is now in the library of Leiden, the Netherlands and Cairo Egypt. He also wrote "Kitab al-Kamil".

In geometry, he wrote "Kitab fima Yahtaj Ilaih as-Suna’ fi ‘Amal al-Handasa". The book was written for the specific request of the Caliph Baha 'ad-Dawla. The copies are in libraries Mosque Aya Sofya, Istanbul. Kitab al-Majesti book by Abul Wafa was the most famous of all the books he wrote. The copies are also incomplete national library is now stored in Paris, France.

Unfortunately, in her treatise on criticism of the ideas of Euclid, Diophantus and al-Khwarizmi was destroyed and lost. Really modern civilization owes to Abul Wafa. The results of research and his work is inscribed in a line of books gives a very significant influence to the development of science, especially trigonometry and astronomy.

The greatest mathematician in the 10th century it was closed on July 15, the age of 998 in Baghdad, Iraq. However, the results of his work and his thinking is still alive.

Eternal in Moon Crater
Abul Wafa was phenomenal. Although in the modern Islamic world his name was not too well known, but in the West figures it is very shiny. No wonder, if the Muslim scientists were so honored and respected. Western people still call it by name Abul Wafa. To respect the devotion and dedication in developing astronomical name was immortalized in the crater of the moon.

Among a series of Muslim scholars and scientists who have the Islamic civilization, only 24 characters are immortalized in the crater of the moon and has received recognition from the International Astronomical Organization (IAU). Of the 24 officially recognized Muslim leader IAU as the name of the moon crater gradually in the 20th century AD, between the years 1935, 1961, 1970 and 1976. one of them Abul Wafa.

Most, Muslim scientists in the crater adadikan month with the Western nickname. Abul Wafa was one of the scientists who just caught in the crater at the moon with the original name. Crater months Abul Wafa 1:00 coordinates located in the East, East 116.60. The diameter of the moon crater Abul Wafa reach 55 km in diameter. The depth of the crater that month of 2.8 km.

Location months Abul Wafa crater located near the equator of the moon. Located adjacent to the crater sepasangang Ctesibius and Heron in the east. In the south-west of the moon crater Abul Wafa there Vesalius crater and in the northeast there is a larger moon crater named King. That world of modern astronomy recognize service and contributions as an astronomer at the X. century

Mathematics ala Abul Wafa
One of the biggest service provided by Abul Wafa for the study of mathematics is trigonometry. Trigonometry comes from the word trigonon = three angles and metro = measure. This is is a branch of mathematics dealing with angles triangles and trigonometric functions sinus, cosinus, dan tangen.

Trig has a relationship with the geometry, although there is disagreement about what to do, for some, trigonometry is a part of geometry. In trigonometry, Abul Wafa has introduced the tangent function and improved methods of calculating trigonometry tables. He also said to solve a number of problems relating to spherical triangles.

In particular, Abul Wafa successfully prepared formula that became the identity of trigonometry. This is the formula that generates it:
sin(a + b) = sin(a)cos(b) + cos(a)sin(b)
cos(2a) = 1 - 2sin2(a)
sin(2a) = 2sin(a)cos(a)
In addition, Abul Wafa also managed to establish a formula for the parabolic geometry, namely :
x4 = a and x4 + ax3 = b.
Important formulas is just a piece of Abul Wafa result of thinking that still survive. His ability to create new mathematical formulas to prove that Muslim mathematicians Abul Wafa was a very genius.

Reference:
- http://archive.kaskus.us/thread/3450909/20
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