Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c5.s2.1

c5.s2.1

Classification of numbers into odd and even first appeared in the Vedic literature.¹ The classification also appeared in the Jaina works but the authors did not consider unity a number like the ancient Greeks. In the Jaina work, *Anuyogadvārasūtra*², the numbers were classified also as numerable ( *saṃkhyeya* ), innumerable ( *asaṃkhyeya* ) and infinite ( *ananta* ). The highest numerable number of the Jaina corresponds to Alef-zero³ of the modern mathematics and they also made an attempt to define number beyond Alef-zero. As regards innumerable number, names of several sub-classifications were mentioned but the idea was not very clear. Idea of infinity was expressed in connection with different dimensions namely infinity in one, two, three and infinite dimensions.