History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c8.s5.1

v1.c8.s5.1

**Terminology.** Division seems to have been regarded as the inverse of multiplication. The common Hindu names for the operation are *bhâgahâra*, *bhâjana*, *haraṇa*, *chedana*, etc. All these terms literally mean "to break into parts," *i.e.*, "to divide," excepting *haraṇa* which denotes "to take away." This term shows the relation of division to subtraction. The dividend is termed *bhâjya*, *hârya*, etc., the divisor *bhâjaka*, *bhâgahara* or simply *hara*, and the quotient *labdhi* "what is obtained" or *labdha*.