España musulmanes inventaron el álgebra y el concepto del cero.

Question

I am trying to say that "Muslim Spain invented algebra and the concept of zero.

Answer 1

Independently of who invented, I think your translation could be:

Los musulmanes en España inventaron el álgebra y el concepto del cero.

Answer 2

The concept of zero as a number originated in India and algebra was invented in ancient Egypt. Both came to Europe via the Spanish Muslims.

• Not important, but didn't the Maya also have this concept of zero around the same time? - sunshinzmomm Oct 6, 2009
• Yes, but the Europeans didn't find out about that until much later. - lorenzo9 Oct 6, 2009

Answer 3

I am not sure if it was Muslim Spain but I believe it was the Arabs that invented them.

• you are correct :) - sunshinzmomm Oct 6, 2009
• it? - Izanoni1 Oct 6, 2009

Answer 4

I believe that álgebra is a feminine word, not masculine.

• yes, but like el agua the first syllable is accented so you don't say la álgebra. - qfreed Jul 30, 2010

Answer 5

I would say something like: >Los árabes trajeron la álgebra y el concepto del cero a la Península Ibérica.< It was not yet Spain per se as a united country, so refer to it as the Iberian Peninsula.
The Moors also brought spherical trigonometry--trigonometría esférica--to the Peninsula, which impacted the accuracy of marine navigation and had a huge impact on history.

• el álgebra (see explanation above) - qfreed Jul 30, 2010
• e.g. el águila - qfreed Jul 30, 2010