Omar Khayyam

Known for

Geometric solution of cubic equations; the Jalali calendar

Biography

Persian mathematician and astronomer from Nishapur, better known in the West as the poet of the Rubaiyat.

Contributions

• Classified cubic equations and solved them geometrically using conic sections
• Led the reform that produced the highly accurate Jalali solar calendar (1079)
• Wrote on Euclid's parallel postulate

Major works

• Treatise on Demonstration of Problems of Algebra
• Explanations of the Difficulties in the Postulates of Euclid