Abstract

While many histories of mathematics pay respectful attention to Liber abbaci, non offers the analysis of the algebraic section of chap. 15.3 offered here in two parts and an Appendix. The first part, on Fibonacci’s text, discusses the manuscripts and printed copies of Liber abbaci, his resources, the meaning of algebra and its content, the method of algebra, and terminology. The second part focuses on Fibonacci as a teacher; this includes what I view as his supposed method for teaching algebra, expansion of the technique of completing the square, a list of algebraic skills, discussion of introductory equations and developmental problems, his reliance upon geometry, and his use of algebra outside chap. 15.3. The Appendix lists exemplary exercises and solved problems with probable sources and translations into symbolic equations for each problem.