History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s2.t1.14

v2.c17.s2.t1.14

The use of the zero sign to mark a vacant place is found in the arithmetical treatises of later times when the Hindus had a well-developed system of symbols for the unknowns. Thus we find in the *Triśatikâ*² of Śrîdhara (*c.* 750) the following statement of an arithmetical progression whose first term (*âdiḥ*) is 20, number of terms (*gacchaḥ*) 7, sum (*gaṇitaṁ*) 245 and whose common difference (*uttaraḥ*) is unknown: