History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s17.9

v2.c17.s17.9

"When, after the clearance of the two sides has been made, there remain the square, etc., of the unknown, then, by multiplying the two sides with a suitable number and by the help of other necessary operations as described before, the square-root of one side should be extracted. If there be present on the other side the square of the unknown with an absolute term, then the two roots of that side should be found by the method of the Square-nature. There the number associated with the square of the unknown is the *prakṛti* ('multiplier'), and the absolute number is to be considered as the interpolator. What is obtained as the lesser root in this way will be the value of the unknown associated with the multiplier (*prakṛti*); the greater root is (again) the root of that square (formed on the first side). Hence making an equation of this with the square-root of the first side, the value of the unknown on the first side should be determined.