The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c15.107

c15.107

Proceeding in the same way they could deduce from the general rule for the enlargement of a square, a still general formula for finding rational rectangles. It has been stated in that rule that the gnomon of n bricks depth put round a square of p² bricks will contain 2pn+p² bricks. Supposing $2pn+n² = m²,$ we obtain $p = 1/2n (m²-n²);$ $p+n = 1/2n (m²+n²).$