AL-FARISI AND THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF ARITHMETIC

Abstract

The work of al-Farisi on amicable numbers begins with nine propositions of elementary number theory. The purpose of this article is to produce an English translation of these propositions and to provide a commentary on al-Farisi's methods. In particular we consider whether he proved, or attempted to prove the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.