History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c8.s9.31

v1.c8.s9.31

The quotient is taken to be 2, because if it were taken to be 3, the rest of the procedure cannot be carried out. This quotient (2) is set in the line. The first *aghana* is then brought down and we have, on subtracting the square of the quotient multiplied by thrice the previous root, the following: