The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s3.1

c20.s3.1

By the process indicated above we can easily get an approximate value of √3. In this case two of the unit squares are divided into six equal strips I, II,...VI. The last two strips are subdivided into six smaller squares of sides 1/3 each. Then arranging the slices III, IV, V₁, V₂, VI₁, and VI₂, about the first square in the positions III', IV', V'₁, V'₂, VI'₁, VI'₂, a new square can be formed. Now divide each of the portions left over, *viz.*, V₃ and VI₃, into