Leonardo Fibonacci

Medieval mathematician who introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals to Europe, revolutionizing mathematics and commerce.

Leonardo Fibonacci (c. 1170–1240) was an Italian mathematician whose seminal work Liber Abaci introduced the Hindu-Arabic numeral system to Europe, replacing cumbersome Roman numerals. His advocacy for the digits 0-9 and positional notation laid the foundation for modern arithmetic, algebra, and finance. Fibonacci’s sequence, though named later, appears in biological patterns and remains a cornerstone of number theory.

Born in Pisa, Fibonacci traveled across the Mediterranean, absorbing mathematical knowledge from Arab scholars. His work enabled practical advancements in bookkeeping, currency exchange, and interest calculations, fueling the commercial revolution of the Renaissance. Despite his impact, Fibonacci’s name was largely forgotten until the 19th century, when historians revived his contributions.

By bridging Eastern and Western mathematical traditions, Fibonacci reshaped European academia and commerce, proving that cross-cultural exchange drives innovation.