OverviewA scholar who used observation and mathematics to study people and the Earth.CategoryScholarPeriodc. 973 CE · Death date uncertain
His workIn his book on India, he described religious ideas and learning from another culture. He tried to understand them rather than only repeat rumours.Source: MacTutor History of Mathematics — Al-Biruni
A memorable ideaHe used mathematical measurements to investigate geography, including the size of the Earth. His work shows how numbers can help answer questions about the world.Source: MacTutor History of Mathematics — Al-Biruni
SourcesOriginal summaries of the cited sources. Qur’anic accounts, later traditions and historical estimates are distinguished; brief profiles do not settle scholarly disagreements.MacTutor History of Mathematics — Al-BiruniTDV Encyclopaedia of Islam — Al-Biruni
