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Young World
World of Science
Directing prayer
DR. T. V. PADMA
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Arab mathematicians produced some accurate trignometric tables.
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Determining the direction in which the holy city of Mecca lies is an important part of the ritualistic observation of Namaz. Partially because of this, the ancient Arabs studied and advanced the field of trigonometry, to help calculate the coordinates of a city and assist in determining the precise direction of Mecca. Trigonometry was most likely introduced into the Arab world by the Indian text Surya Siddhanta. This was brought to Sind in the eighth ce
ntury during a diplomatic mission. Two of the most important Arabic geometricians were Al-Battani (850-929 CE), who computed one of the first tables of cotangents and Al-Biruni (973-1050) who made many significant contributions to trigonometry.
Developing theories
Arabic mathematicians had applied the theory of trigonometric functions and developed the theory of spherical trigonometry by the 10th century. Maslama al-Majriti (d. 1007 CE), who lived in Islamic Spain was well versed in survey techniques and triangulation.
Another important Andalusian geometer was Ibn Bagunis who was known for his contributions to this branch of mathematics.
One of the most telling examples of the advancement of Arabic geometry is tessellation. Tesellation and other types of complex geometric design were used to decorate textiles, buildings, and illuminated manuscripts. Although quasicrystalline patterns were commonly used in mosques and palaces since the 15th century CE, proving that Arabic cultures already had a highly developed understanding of geometry, it was only in the 1970s that a European mathematician calculated the principles behind quasicrystalline symmetry.
The Arab mathematicians Abul Wafa and Ibrahim ibn Sina provided detailed instructions on how to construct different geometric shapes.
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