What does Wal-ḍabṭa mean?

Islam > Glossary > Wal-ḍabṭa

Discover the meaning of the term Wal-ḍabṭa (والضابطة) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Wal-ḍabṭa

Wal-ḍabṭa according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

In its extraction and inquiry, the unknown is either one of the two extremes or one of the two means. If it is one of the two extremes, divide the product of the two means by the known extreme, and the quotient is the desired value. If it is one of the two means, divide the product of the two extremes by the known mean, and the quotient is the desired value. The number, when multiplied by another, the product of the multiplication is called the rectangular product, and when multiplied by itself, the product is called the square. The question of inquiring about the unknown through the known by the method of the four proportionals is of two types: the first relates to increase and decrease, and the second relates to transactions.

Related terms: Wal-ḍabṭa