The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s4.24

c20.s4.24

If it be assumed that the relative positions of the three fire-altars were meant to be the one and the same, in all cases though expressed differently, then we shall have the following approximations to the values of √ 5 and √ 2: $√ 5 = 2⅖, 2⅓, 2 2/7, 2 4/25,$ $= 2·4, 2·333, 2·285, 2·16.$ $√ 2 = 1⅕, 1⅙, 1 1/7, 1 11/25,$ $= 1·2, 1·166, 1·142, 1·44.$