Reading Arabic Mathematical Texts from the Islamic Tradition

Harvard FAS

This tutorial introduces students to selected Arabic mathematical texts from the Islamic intellectual tradition, with a focus on works by ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Qalaṣādī and Bahāʾ al-Dīn al-ʿĀmilī. Through close reading of primary sources, students will explore historical approaches to arithmetic, algebra, and mathematical notation while developing skills in reading and interpreting premodern Arabic scientific literature. Knowledge of Advanced Arabic is required.