Abstarct:
Since its arabic origin in the IXth century, Algebra evolved and spread in all western Europe, under different names, one of them being ''the Great Art''. It shows that Algebra was recognized as a powerful part of mathematics. But, compared to Arithmetic and Geometry, it carried no classical authority. During the XVIth century, strategies are thought to settle Algebra in themathematical field. In this purpose, but in different ways, Michael Stifel and Simon Stevin rest on ''commercial'' arithmetic structures and rules so as to include Algebra as a part of a widened Arithmetic. |