History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s4.10

v2.c17.s4.10

"A known quantity multiplied by an unknown becomes unknown; the product of two, three or more unknowns of like species is its square, cube, etc.; and the product of those of unlike species is their *bhâvita*. Fractions, etc., are (considered) as in the case of knowns; and the rest (*i.e.*, remaining operations) will be the same as explained in arithmetic. The multiplicand is put down separately in as many places as there are terms in the multiplier and is then severally multiplied by those terms; (the products are then) added together according to the methods indicated before. Here, in the squaring and multiplication of unknowns, should be followed the method of multiplication by component parts, as explained in arithmetic."⁴