Which mathematician is most commonly credited with introducing a general method equivalent to the modern quadratic formula for solving equations of the form $a{x}^2+bx+c=0$?

• A. Isaac Newton
• B. Pythagoras
• C. Pierre de Fermat
• D. Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recognize that the problem is asking about the historical origin of the quadratic formula, which is used to solve equations of the form \(a x^{2} + b x + c = 0\).
2. Understand that the quadratic formula provides a general method to find the roots of any quadratic equation by expressing \(x\) in terms of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\).
3. Recall that Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, a Persian mathematician from the 9th century, is widely credited with developing systematic methods for solving quadratic equations, which laid the foundation for the quadratic formula.
4. Note that other mathematicians listed, such as Isaac Newton, Pythagoras, and Pierre de Fermat, contributed to mathematics in different areas but are not primarily known for introducing the quadratic formula.
5. Therefore, the correct historical attribution for the general method equivalent to the modern quadratic formula is Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi.