A History of Sanskrit Literature c35.s4.1

c35.s4.1

Āryabhaṭa, as we have seen, was the first to insert a definitely mathematical⁴ section in his astronomy. He deals in it with evolution and involution, area and volumes; then, after a semi-astronomical section dealing with the circle, shadow problems, &c., he proceeds to progressions and algebraic identities. The rest of the *Gaṇita* deals with examples, save at the close when indeterminate equations of the first degree are taken up (ax+by=c). We find also a remarkably accurate value⁵ of π, viz. 3·1416, and the rule known as the epanthem,⁶ and the type of definition not otherwise in use in India, ‘The product of three equal numbers is a cube and it also has twelve edges.’ On the other hand, we must set clear errors in the volume of a pyramid and a sphere. His notation¹ is unique; it uses the consonants *k* to *m* for 1 to 25, the rest, *y* to *h*, for 30 to 100, while the vowels denote multiplication by powers of 100, *a* being 100⁰ and *au* 100¹⁶.