The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c10.69

c10.69

"If you wish to construct a rectangle, fix on the ground two poles as much apart as you wish (the length to be). On either sides (before and behind) of each of these poles, fix two other poles at equal distances from it. Take a cord as much as the breadth (of the rectangle); make a tie at both ends and a mark at the middle. Having fastened the two ties at the two poles about the eastern pole, stretch the cord towards the south by the mark and put a sign (where the mark touches the ground). Then fasten the two ties at the middle pole and again draw the cord over the sign towards the south by the mark and fix a pole at the mark. That is the south-east corner (of the rectangle). Thereby is explained (how to determine) the north-east corner and also the two western corners.” ¹