A Concise History of Science in India c7.s6.2

c7.s6.2

The Indian emphasis on arithmetic and algebra is often contrasted with the Greek preoccupation with geometry. Nevertheless, the close similarity between the philosophical and mathematical writings of Pythagoras and his school on the one hand and the Vedic Hindus on the other has never failed to attract the attention of scholars. Leopold Von Schroeder, in one of his exhaustive studies, tried to show Pythagoras’ indebtedness to India in respect of (1) his doctrine of transmigration and metempsychosis, (2) irrational numbers, (3) the theorem known after his name and (4) the doctrine of five elements.a Regarding Pythagorean geometry and irrational number, Schroeder held the view, shared by Garbe, Hopkins and Macdonell, that the square relation among the sides of a right-angled triangle and the concept of irrational numbers ultimately had their origin in the *śulba-sūtras* of Baudhāyana and Āpastamba. Others, notably Keith, have disputed such views.