[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918) › c10 # Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c10: IV. Trigonometry Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c10 - **Language:** English ### IV. Trigonometry ### [c10.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10.2) HINDU trigonometry was in advance of the Greek in certain particulars. The Hindus anticipated modern trigonometry also in a few points. ### [c10.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10.3) The mathematicians of India devised (1) the table of sines, and (2) the table of versed sines. The term "sine" is an Arabic corruption from Sanskrit "shinjini." ### [c10.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10.4) The use of sines was unknown to the Greeks. They calculated by the help of the chords. ### [c10.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10.5) The Hindu table of sines exhibits them to every twenty-fourth part of the quadrant, the table of versed sines does the same. In each, the sine or versed sine is expressed in minutes of the circumference, neglecting fractions. ### [c10.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10.6) The rule for the computation of the sines indicates the method of computing a table by means of their second differences. This is a considerable refinement in calculation, and was first practised in modern times by the English mathematician Briggs (1556–1631). ### [c10.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10.7) The astronomical tables of the Hindus prove that they were acquainted with the principal theorems of spherical trigonometry. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarkar-1918.c10) · Pramāṇa