History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c8.s1.23

v1.c8.s1.23

As already mentioned, the calculations were performed on sand spread on the ground (*dhûlî-karma*¹) or on a *pâṭî* ("board"). Sometimes a piece of chalk or soap-stone (*pâṇḍu-lekha* or *śvetavarṇî*) was used to write on the *pâṭî*.² As the figures written were big, so several lines of figures could not be contained on the board. Consequently, the practice of obliterating figures not required for subsequent work was common. Instances of this would be found in the detailed method of working (the operations) given hereafter.