History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s1.40

v2.c17.s1.40

**Scope of Algebra.** The science of algebra is broadly divided by the Hindus into two principal parts. Of these the most important one deals with analysis (*bîja*). The other part treats of the subjects which are essential for analysis. They are: the laws of signs, the arithmetic of zero (and infinity), operations with unknowns, surds, the pulveriser (or the indeterminate equation of the first degree), and the Square-nature (or the so-called Pellian equation). To these some writers add concurrence and dissimilar operations, while others include them in arithmetic. At the end of the first section of his treatise on algebra Bhâskara II is found to have observed as follows: