Preparation for the Science of Hearing: Ali Kuscu's Risale der 'Ilm-i Hisab'

Abstract

Al & imacr; Q & umacr;shj & imacr; (d. 879/1474), an astronomer, mathematician, theologian and linguist of fifteenth century, has a key role in the formation of scientific life in the Ottomans. This role is analyzed in the history of science and thought broadly. Upon Sultan Mehmed II's invitation, he contributed to the formation of the Fatih Sem & acirc;niye and Ayasofya Madrasahs by transfering scholarly accumulation of the Samarkand mathematics-astronomy school to Istanbul, and his works widely used in Ottoman intellectual circles for centuries. Ris & amacr;la der 'Ilm-i His & amacr;b which is the first of two mathematical works by Al & imacr; Q & umacr;shj & imacr;, and was written in Persian, probably in Samarkand before 861/1456. This work has a remarkable place in the Islamic mathematical tradition with its numerous copies, its widespread distribution in Iran and Anatolia and its being taught as a textbook for centuries. In this work, an analysis based on several copies of the work will be shared. Thus, it is aimed to correct outdated information in the literature and to clarify some questions about the place and value of Ris & amacr;la der '& Idot;lm-i His & amacr;b in terms of the history of science. Besides, as an example of the content of the work, the method of finding the quadratic root of integers will be examined and the proof of the method will be given.