Information and Resources for the Final Project

Read these articles about giving a good math talk: Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, Article 4.

First choose your partner (you can work in groups of size 2) and a topic in history of mathematics in the Islamic World. The topic should include significant amount of mathematics.

Let me know, in writing, what topic you choose by Friday November 11. You should submit, in writing, your choice of the topic, and main sources you want to use. About a page would be sufficient for this.

Next, you submit an outline of your paper by Wednesday, November 30 (2-3 pages).

You will give a class presentation ( 10-15 minutes) during the last 4 days of classes.

The final paper is due by the end of the official final exam date for this course which is 4:30 pm, Monday December 12. (You can submit it earlier!)

Here are some possible topics to give you an idea and get you started but this is not an exhaustive list. You may choose another topic.

• Lives and works of Islamic mathematicians that are available in Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography (available as an electronic source through Kenyon). Take a look at this page and this too..
• These articles have many pointers and sources: Forgotten Brilliance, Math in Muslim Heritage, Contributions of Muslims to Math
• Many possible ideas and sources at this page, and more generally here.
• Many suitable topics in the book "The development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra", Roshdi Rashed (translated by A. F. W. Armstrong), Kluwer, 1994. (available at course reserve)
• Combinatorics in Islamic Mathematics. Look at the relevant chapters in
  • The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India and Islam, A Sourcebook, Victor J. Katz editor, Princeton U Press, 2007
  • A History of Mathematics: An Introduction, 2nd ed, Victor J. Katz, Addison-Wesley 1998
  • The development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra, Roshdi Rashed (translated by A. F. W. Armstrong), Kluwer, 1994
• Mathematics in Islamic Art and Architecture. You can start by reading these 3 articles: Article1 Article 2 Article 3. Also look at this page and see the books below.
• Islamic Geometric Patterns
• Geometry Needed by Craftsmen
• Geometry of Artisans,The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India and Islam, A Sourcebook, Victor J. Katz editor, Princeton U Press, 2007
• Cryptanalysis of al-Kindi. A starting point is here.
• Al Hazen Problem. Can start by looking at these two articles: Article1, Article 2.
• Ibn al-Haytham and Wilson's Theorem, in "the development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra", Roshdi Rashed (translated by A. F. W. Armstrong), Kluwer, 1994
• Ibn al-Haytham and Perfect Numbers,in "the development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra", Roshdi Rashed (translated by A. F. W. Armstrong), Kluwer, 1994
• Ibn al-Haytam's treatise on the volume of a sphere.
• Ibn al-Haytham's measurement of a paraboloid, The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India and Islam, A Sourcebook, Victor J. Katz editor, Princeton U Press, 2007
• Construction of a Perfect Compass and other geometrical instruments, The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India and Islam, A Sourcebook, Victor J. Katz editor, Princeton U Press, 2007
• Algebra and Linguistics: Combinatorial Analysis in Arabic Science, in "the development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra"
• Numerical Equations, in "the development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra"
• Numerical Analysis and extraction of nth roots, our tetxbook and "the development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra"
• Number Theory in Islamic Mathematics, "the development of Arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra"
• Thabit b. Qurra (his life and contributions to mathematics), A History of algebra : from al-Khwarizmi to Emmy Noether, B.L. van der Waerden
• Spherical Geometry and Trigonometry in Islam (Chapter 6 in our textbook)
• V. Robert's paper on connections between Copernicus and Ibn al-Shatir.
• Astronomy and Astrology in the Medieval Islamic World
• Look at the Exercises and Bibliography at the end of each chapter of the textbook to get ideas for possible projects.

Some Useful Books and Other Sources for the Project (can get ideas for possible projects from these sources too)

• Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography (available as an electronic source through Kenyon),: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2008. 27 vols (searching for names can be tricky!)
• The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India and Islam, A Sourcebook, Victor J. Katz editor, Princeton U Press, 2007 (in course reserve)
• The development of arabic mathematics: between arithmetic and algebra, R. Rashed, Kluwer 1994 (in course reserve)
• A History of Mathematics: An Introduction, 2nd ed, Victor J. Katz, Addison-Wesley 1998
• A History of algebra : from al-Khwarizmi to Emmy Noether, B.L. van der Waerden
• Introduction to the history of science, George Sarton, 1975
• Arabic Mathematical Sciences, R. Lorch, Variorum 1995
• An Episodic History of Mathematics, Steven G. Krants, MAA publication 2010
• 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World, Salim T S Al-Hassani, 2nd ed, 2007, Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (UK)
• Studies in the Islamic Exact Sciences, E.S. Kennedy, colleagues, and former students, American University of Beirut, 1983
• The Algebra of Mohammed ben Musa (transl. by F. Rosen), London: 1831. Another edition Honolulu, HI : University Press of the Pacific, 2003
• The Algebra of Abu Kamil
• The Algebra of Omar Khayyam, by Daoud S. Kasir, Bureau of Publications, Teachers College, 1931
• Arabic mathematical sciences : instruments, texts, transmission, R. Lorch, Variorum, 1996
• Pathfinders: The Golden Age of Arabic Science, J. Al-Khalili, Allen Lane, 2010
• Science in medieval Islam : an illustrated introduction, Howard R. Turner, U of Texas Press, 1999.
• Islamic Geometric Patterns, R. Broug, Thames& Hudson, 2008.
• Islamic art and geometric design [kit]; activities for learning, the Metropolitan Museum of Art,New York, N.Y. : Metropolitan Museum of Art, c2004
• Islamic design : a genius for geometry, D. Sutton, Walker & Co, 2007
• Islamic art and architecture : the system of geometric design, Issam El-Said, Reading, UK, 1993.
• al-Biruni-Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology
• Astronomy and Astrology in the Medieval Islamic World, by E. S. Kennedy, Variorum, 1998 (available at Kenyon library)
• The Muslim Heritage web site
• A History of Islamic Science
• Bibliography of Mathematics in Medieval Islamic Civilization
• Bibliography by Topic of the Mathematical Sciences in Medieval Islamic World
• Mathematics in Medieval Islam
• A Digital Library