The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c8.t1.65

c8.t1.65

It is fairly certain that the practical use of the theorem was current in old Babylonian times (*c.* 1800-1600 B.C.). The evidence for this is found in certain Babylonian cuneiform tablets. No general theorem was found to have been mentioned. It has been conclusively proved by Neugebauer that Pythagoras derived his "Number theorem of Universe" as well as the so-called Pythagorean theorem from cuneiform tablets.d The Chinese knew of a similar relation which appeared in *Chou Pei* (4th century B.C.), but it really became well known from the time of its first commentator Chao Chun Chhinge (3rd century A.D.). A proof of the theorem was given by Bhāskara IIf (1150 A.D.). According to Needham, Bhāskara II's treatment was derived from the *Chou Pei*.g This is not true, for the proof of Bhāskara II and that given in *Chou Pei* can readily be deduced from a number of constructions described already in the *Śulbasūtras*. .