History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s1.105

v2.c17.s1.105

**Absolute Term.** In the Bakhshālî treatise³ the absolute term is called *dṛśya* (visible). In later Hindu algebras it has been replaced by a closely allied term *rūpa*⁴ (appearance), though it continued to be employed in treatises on arithmetic.⁵ Thus the true significance of the Hindu name for the absolute term in an algebraic equation is obvious. It represents the visible or known portion of the equation while its other part is practically invisible or unknown.