History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s17.10

v2.c17.s17.10

"But if there be present on the second side the square of the unknown together with (the first power of) the unknown, or only the (simple) unknown with or without an absolute number, then it is not a case for the Square-nature. How then is the root to be found in that case? So it has been said: 'If (the other side) does not become a case for the Square-nature etc.' Then, putting it equal to the square of another unknown, the square-root of one side should be found in the way indicated before, and the two roots of the other side should then be determined by the method of the Square-nature. There again the lesser root is the value of the unknown associated with the *prakṛti* and the greater root is equal to the square-root of that side of the equation. Forming proper equations with the roots, the values of the unknowns should be determined.