The Reckonersā Key
Quick Summary
The Reckoners' Key is a significant work by the 15th-century Islamic mathematician and astronomer JamshÄ«d al-KÄshÄ«. This encyclopedic text summarizes the arithmetic of its time and also includes sections on algebra and practical geometry.12
Al-KÄshÄ«'s work is known for its computational mastery. He calculated the value of 2Ļ to an impressive 16 decimal places of accuracy, a record that stood for nearly two centuries. He also applied a numerical method, now known as fixed-point iteration, to solve cubic equations. The Reckoners' Key was dedicated to UlÅ«gh Beg, the ruler of Samarkand, and was considered a work of world renown.21
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
