Page:The Algebra of Mohammed Ben Musa (1831).djvu/15

 expressed by words: figures are only used in some of the diagrams, and in a few marginal notes.

The work had been only briefly mentioned in ’ catalogue of the Bodleian manuscripts. Mr. H. T. first introduced it to more general notice, by inserting a full account of it, with an English translation of the directions for the solution of equations, simple and compound, into the notes of the “Dissertation” prefixed to his invaluable work, “Algebra, with Arithmetic and Mensuration, from the Sanscrit of Brahmegupta and Bhascara.” (London, 1817, 4to. pages lxxv-lxxix.)

The account of the work given by Mr excited the attention of a highly distinguished friend of mathematical science, who encouraged me to undertake an edition and translation of the whole: and who has taken the kindest interest in the execution of my task. He has with great patience and care revised and corrected my translation, and has furnished the commentary, subjoined to the text, in the form of common algebraic notation. But my