Polynomials and equations in Arabic algebra (Q1018494)

The paper has two parts. In the first part, the author explains the Arabic way of expressing algebraic problems. Since everything is done in sentences, not formulas, equality as a statement is expressed differently from equality as assignment or problem. It is pointed out that Arabic authors in general prefer to work out all operations before stating an equation. In the second part, the author gives examples of later Maghrebine abbreviated algebraic expressions; his own way of translating problems into formulas is inspired by these examples. This way of doing things has much to recommend itself and his way of two-level writing instead of translating into post-Cartesian algebra is recommended to all workers in the field.