Fibonacci

Fibonacci

Numbers. The way they look, to be more precise. Ever wonder how they came about? Why we aren't using roman numerals or some other strange form of number system? If the answer is yes, well you're in for a treat. Its all thanks to a man named Leonardo Pisano. Never heard of him? You might know him better by his nickname, Fibonacci.

Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci was born in Italy, Pisa to be exact, but since his father was a diplomat to North Africa, most of his education and upbringing happened there. His father represented the merchants that were trading in a place called Bugia. This is where Fibonacci learned math. Since his father was a diplomat, he traveled quite often. Because math was such a big deal for Fibonacci, he quickly recognized the advantages of the mathematical systems they used in different countries.

Fibonacci finally stopped traveling and returned home to Pisa in 1200 A.D. during this time he wrote a great many books about mathematical theories. When he wrote, he wrote under the name Bigolo witch means "good-for-nothing" or "traveler". What he wrote was praised by his contemporaries, but not because of his theorems. The practical applications of most of his ideas could be used by the average Joe out on the street.

His first and most important work, Liber Abaci, introduced the Hindu Arabic placed valued decimal system and the use of Arabic numerals into Europe. These Arabic numerals soon took the place of roman numerals and vastly changed the field of mathematics forever. I imagine he thought of all the practical used it could be used for these new numbers back in Europe while he was in these various countries that used this system already.

First of all, the common folk could grasp the concept, which was important due to the fact that roman numerals were so confusing. The common people only had to remember ten fluidly written numbers. Think about how much effort it took to write one number in roman numerals as opposed to the new Arabic style. Let's take the number seven