The Story of Maths Season 1 Episode 2 The Genius of the East

In this episode of The Story of Maths, entitled The Genius of the East, we explore the groundbreaking mathematical contributions made by cultures in the Eastern world. While the West often takes center stage when it comes to the history of mathematics, this episode shines a light on the incredible achievements of Eastern cultures.

First, we delve into the work of Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician who made significant contributions to number theory in the early 20th century. Ramanujan's work involved finding new formulas and patterns within numbers, and his groundbreaking ideas continue to influence mathematicians to this day.

Next, we take a look at the work of Al-Khwarizmi, a Persian mathematician who lived in the 9th century. Al-Khwarizmi is often referred to as the father of algebra, as he developed many of the key ideas and techniques that make up that branch of mathematics. We learn about his most influential work, Al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabala, which became the foundation for modern algebra.

Moving forward in time, we then explore the work of the Chinese mathematician and astronomer Zu Chongzhi, who lived in the 5th century. Zu Chongzhi was known for his precise calculations and measurements, which were often much more accurate than those made by his Western counterparts. We discover how he was able to accurately calculate the value of Pi, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, to within a few decimal places.

We then shift our focus to the medieval Islamic world, where we learn about the contributions of scholars such as Omar Khayyam, who is best known for his work on solving cubic equations. We explore the ways in which Islamic scholars made significant advances in mathematics, including developing the concept of zero, which was later adopted by the West.

Finally, we learn about the legacy of Hindu-Arabic numerals, which revolutionized mathematics and commerce in the Western world. These numerals, which include the numbers 0 through 9, were originally developed in India before being popularized by Islamic scholars. We discover how the use of these numerals allowed for much simpler and more intuitive mathematical calculations.

Overall, this episode of The Story of Maths highlights the incredible contributions made by Eastern cultures to the field of mathematics. From algebra to Pi, these advancements have had a profound impact on the world of science and beyond.