Mathematics and her sisters in medieval Islam: A selective review of work done &om 1985 to 1995 [1997]

Abstract

This paper surveys work done over the past decade, largely in Western Europe and North America, in the history of the mathematical sciences as practiced in medieval Islam from central Asia to Spain. Among the major topics covered, in addition to the usual branches of mathematics, are mathematical geography, astronomy, and optics. We have also given accounts of some current debates on the interpretation of important texts and, in addition, we have surveyed some of the literature dealing with the interrelation of mathematics and society in medieval Islam.