The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c13.s3.14

c13.s3.14

layers, so that the height of each brick is equal to (5n-1)th part of 4n/5. One-third of the increased altitude is 2n/5 jānus. Next layer of the Fire-altar is constructed with bricks of height 2n/5 jānus. Then the upper portion of this layer is cut off by the diagonal plane as directed. Hence the altitude of the altar is now 6n/5 jānus on the east, 4n/5 jānus on the west ; so that its average altitude is (6n/5+4n/5)/2 or n jānus. This device will be easily recognised to be based on the following approximate formula for calculating the volume of the frustum of a pyramid: If (a, b) be the length and breadth of the rectangular base of the solid, (a', b') the corresponding sides of the face parallel to it and h the height, then