History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c8.s5.36

v1.c8.s5.36

The method seems to have been invented in India about the 4th century A.D., if not earlier. It was transmitted to the Arabs, where it occurs in Arabic works from the 9th century onwards.² From Arabia the method travelled to Europe where it came to be known as the galley (*galea*, *batello*) method.³ In this variation of the method, the figures obtained at successive stages are written and crossed out, for the work is carried out on paper (where the figures cannot be rubbed out). The method was very popular in Europe from the 15th to the 18th century.¹ The above example worked on the galley plan would be represented thus: