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In Ganita Aryabhata names the first 10 decimal places and gives algorithms for
obtaining square and cubic roots, using the decimal number system. Then he treats
geometric measurements�employing 62,832/20,000 (= 3.1416) for p�and develops
properties of similar right-angled triangles and of two intersecting circles. Using
the Pythagorean theorem, he obtained one of the two methods for constructing his
table of sines. He also realized that second-order sine difference is proportional
to sine. Mathematical series, quadratic equations, compound interest (involving a
quadratic equation), proportions (ratios), and the solution of various linear
equations are among the arithmetic and algebraic topics included. Aryabhata�s
general solution for linear indeterminate equations, which Bhaskara I called
kuttakara (�pulverizer�), consisted of breaking the problem down into new problems
with successively smaller coefficients�essentially the Euclidean algorithm and
related to the method of continued fractions.
The Indian government named its first satellite Aryabhata (launched 1975) in his
honour.
Takao Hayashi
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in astronomy. Aryabhata, writing in 499, calculated p (pi) to 3.1416 and the solar
year to 365.3586� days and stated that the Earth was spherical and rotated on its
axis. That European astronomy was also known is suggested by the 6th-century
astronomer Varahamihira, who mentions the Romaka�
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Margaret Mead
education: Classical India
�science were no less significant. Aryabhata in the late 5th century was the
greatest mathematician of his age. He introduced the concepts of zero and decimals.
Varahamihira of the Gupta age was a profound scholar of all the sciences and arts,
from botany to astronomy and from military science to�
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chronology: Eras based on astronomical speculation
�and by authors such as Aryabhata (born ad 476), Varahamihira, Brahmagupta (7th
century ad), etc., the ancient Vedic notions on the cycle of years, embracing round
numbers of solar and lunar years together, were developed. On the one hand, greater
cycles were calculated in order to include the revolutions of�
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Based on the definitions, various simple relationships exist among the functions.
For example, csc A = 1/sin A, sec A = 1/cos A, cot A = 1/tan A, and tan A = sin
A/cos A.
trigonometry: India and the Islamic world
�in the Aryabhatiya. Its author, Aryabhata I (c. 475�550), used the word ardha-jya
for half-chord, which he sometimes turned around to jya-ardha (�chord-half�); in
due time he shortened it to jya or jiva. Later, when Muslim scholars translated
this work into Arabic, they retained the word jiva without translating its�
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Evolution of Hindu-Arabic numerals.
Indian mathematics: The role of astronomy and astrology
astronomical schools: the Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata (c. 500 ce) and the Brahma-
sphuta-siddhanta (628; �Correctly Established Doctrine of Brahma�) of Brahmagupta.
Little is known of these authors. Aryabhata lived in Kusumapura (near modern
Patna), and Brahmagupta is said to have been from Bhillamala (modern Bhinmal),
which was the capital of the�
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MORE ABOUT Aryabhata
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achievements in mathematics and astronomy
In education: Classical India
In Indian mathematics: The role of astronomy and astrology
In India: Society and culture
development of
chronology
In chronology: Eras based on astronomical speculation
trigonometry
In trigonometry: India and the Islamic world
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