Indian Mathematics c11.8

c11.8

Enough has been said to show that there existed a very considerable intimacy between the mathematics of the Indians and Chinese; and assuming that the chronology is roughly correct, the distinct priority of the Chinese mathematics is established. On the other hand Brahmagupta gives more advanced developments of indeterminate equations than occurs in the Chinese works of his period, and it is not until after Bhāskara that Ch’in Chu-sheo recorded (in A.D. 1247) the celebrated *t’ai-yen ch’in-yi-shu* or process of indeterminate analysis, which is, however, attributed to I’-hsing nearly six centuries earlier. The Chinese had maintained intellectual intercourse with India since the first century and had translated many Indian (Buddhistic) works. They (unlike their Indian friends) generally give the source of their information and acknowledge their indebtedness with becoming courtesy. From the 7th century Indian scholars were occasionally employed on the Chinese Astronomical Board. Mr. Yoshio Mikami states that there is no evidence of Indian influence on Chinese mathematics. On the other hand he says "the discoveries made in China may have touched the eyes of Hindoo scholars."