History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s2.1

v2.c17.s2.1

**Symbols of Operation.** There are no special symbols for the fundamental operations in the Bakhshālî work. Any particular operation intended is ordinarily indicated by placing the tachygraphic abbreviation, the initial syllable of a Sanskrit word of that import, after, occasionally before, the quantity affected. Thus the operation of addition is indicated by *yu* (an abbreviation from *yuta*, meaning added), subtraction by + which is very probably from *kṣa* (abbreviated from *kṣaya*, diminished), multiplication by *gu* (from *guṇa* or *guṇita*, multiplied) and division by *bhâ* (from *bhāga* or *bhājita*, divided). Of these again, the most systematically employed abbreviation is that for the operation of subtraction and next comes that of division. In the case of the other two operations the indicatory words are often written in full, or altogether omitted. In the latter case, the particular operations intended to be carried out are understood from the context. We take the following instances from the Bakhshâlî Manuscript: