History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s17.t1.8

v2.c17.s17.t1.8

“Now on the second side of the equation remains 6y² + 1. By the method of the Square-nature, its roots are : the lesser 2 and the greater 5, or the lesser 20 and the greater 49. Equating the greater root with the square-root of the first side, *viz.*, 6x + 1, the value of x is found to be 2/3 or 8. The lesser root, 2 or 20, is the value of y, the unknown associated with the *prakṛti*. In this way, by virtue of (the multiplicity of) the lesser and greater roots, many solutions can be obtained."¹