Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c7.5

c7.5

Addition was represented by simple juxtaposition of the terms or placing *yu* (*yu* means *yuta* or addition) in between the terms and subtraction by placing a plus sign (+) after the terms which is to be subtracted or a dot at its top; multiplication by placing the abbreviation *gu* (*guṇa* or *guṇita*) after the last term; division by putting the abbreviation *bhā* (*bhāga* or *bhājita*) in between the divisor and the dividend or by placing the divisor beneath the dividend; square-root by writing *mū* or *ka* (*mūla* or *karaṇī*) respectively after the terms and any one unknown quantity by the term *yāvattāvat* (*Sthānāṅga-Sūtra*), *yadr̥cchā*, *vāñchā*, *kāmika* (*Bakhshālī Ms.*) *gulikā* (Āryabhaṭa I) and *avyakta* (Brahmagupta, Śrīpati and Bhāskara II). Representation of several unknown terms involved in an equation was made by Brahmagupta (628 A. D.) by using abbreviation of names of several colours like, *kā* (*for kālaka* meaning black), *nī* (*for nīlaka* meaning blue) etc. For sign of equality, the terms *dṛśya* ( visible ) sometimes *rūpa* with used.