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European algebra takes its origin from one single book written in Baghdad in the ninth century A.D. by Alkhwarizmi and translated into Latin in the twelfth. The mediaeval work in algebra was summar...ized at the end of the fifteenth century by Luca Pacioli in his "Summa". The great breakthrough in algebra at the start of the sixteenth century, associated with the names of Scipione del Ferro, Tartaglia, Cardan and Ferrari, is set against its background in contemporary Italian history. The struggles of Charles V against the French and the state of Italian universities at the time are also discussed, as are the mathematical duels for university positions so characteristic of the period. The programme is introduced by Professor van der Waerden and linking commentary is provided by Graham Flegg.
European algebra takes its origin from one single book written in Baghdad in the ninth century A.D. by Alkhwarizmi and translated into Latin in the twelfth. The mediaeval work in algebra was summar...ized at the end of the fifteenth century by Luca Pacioli in his "Summa". The great breakthrough in algebra at the start of the sixteenth century, associated with the names of Scipione del Ferro, Tartaglia, Cardan and Ferrari, is set against its background in contemporary Italian history. The struggles of Charles V against the French and the state of Italian universities at the time are also discussed, as are the mathematical duels for university positions so characteristic of the period. The programme is introduced by Professor van der Waerden and linking commentary is provided by Graham Flegg.
| Module code and title: | AM289, History of mathematics |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AM289; 04 |
| First transmission date: | 02-05-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:04 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producers: | Jean Nunn; Neil Cleminson |
| Contributors: | Graham Flegg; B L van der Waerden |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Algebra; Cardano; Cubic equations; Tartaglia |
| Footage description: | B.L. van der Waerden and Graham Flegg introduce the programme with a brief discussion of the origins of European algebra through influence of Alkhwarizmi's "Al-Jabr w'al-Mugubala", particularly for the solution of quadratic equations. Still shots of the Great Mosque at Samarra, title page of "Al-Jabr" and several animations illustrate the discussion. Van der Waerden goes on to discuss the early spread of algebra in Europe from Robert of Chester (1145) to Luca Pacioli (1494). Several still shots of: Page from Robert of Chester's book, Painting of the Holy Family, Luca Pacioli, Urbino, Page from Pacioli's book. Van der Waerden briefly discusses the discovery of a solution for cubic equations of the type x 3 +ax = b by Scipione del Ferro around 1500. Graham Flegg gives a brief political background to Europe in the early 16th century. Montage of stills of Battle of Pavia, map of Italy, stills of Universities of Pavia and Bologna, still of Milan and still of Charles V being crowned illustrate the discussion. Van der Waerden describes the mathematical contest between Fiore and Tartaglia in 1535 during which the solution of cubic equations was rediscovered. Still shots of Tartaglia and pages from his book. Van der Waerden goes on to explain how the secret of solving cubic equations was passed to Gerolamo Cardano. He gives a brief biographical sketch of Cardano. Still shots of Cardano, of the Marchese del Vasto, of Milan and of 16th century artillery. Graham Flegg goes on to describe Tartaglia's method of solving cubic equations as passed on to Cardano. Animated captions illustrate his points. Van der Waerden briefly describes the discovery of a general solution for bi-quadratic equation by Cardano's pupil Ludovico Ferrari. He goes on with a brief discussion of the publication of Cardano's book "Ars Magna". Graham Flegg sums up. Still shots of Cardano, Urbino and frontispiece of Ars Magna. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71792 |
| Production number: | 00525_3166 |
| Videofinder number: | 938 |
| Available to public: | no |
