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There are more solutions than just that; for example, we could take x to be the matrix [[387, 320], [-480, -397]] (so x^2 = [[-3831, -3200], [4800, 4009]]), or the split-complex number 8j - 5 (so x^2 = 89 - 80j), or 5 in the ring of integers modulo 36 (so x^2 = -11).

But al-Khwarizmi was presumably writing in the context of familiar quantities >= 0, which is a perfectly fine thing to do.



> we could take x to be the matrix [[387, 320], [-480, -397]]

If x is a 2x2 matrix, how can the left side be equal to 39 (a scalar)?


It's 39 x^0 = 39 I


I haven't checked your work, except over Z/36Z, but you made me :)


j? Electrical engineer?


In the context of electrical engineering, j is often used to denote the imaginary unit, that is, something such that j^2 = -1; in other words it's the same as what is usually called 'i'.

But, in the context of the split-complex numbers, j is something such that j^2 = 1, and i suppose it is writen as 'j' to distinguish it from 'i'.

So, the 'j' used here is different from the 'j' used in electrical engineering.

( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-complex_number )

For example, if j were the square root of -1, as in electrical engineering, then (8j - 5)^2 would equal -39 - 80j: 64j^2 - 80j + 25 = -64 -80j + 25 = -39 - 80j; but here, in the split-complex numbers, (8j - 5)^2 = 64j^2 -80j + 25 = 64 - 80j + 25 = 89 - 80j.


Interesting: Never heard of 'split-complex numbers' before. Thanks for letting me know :)




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