Algebra: 1 definition
Introduction:
Algebra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)
: archive.org: Hindu MathematicsAlgebra (in Sanskrit: 产墨箩补驳补峁噄迟补 or 补惫测补办迟补驳补峁噄迟补) refers to the 鈥渟cience of calculation鈥�, according to the principles of Ga峁噄ta-艣膩stra, ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy.鈥擜lgebra (产墨箩补驳补峁噄迟补) is also called 补惫测补办迟补驳补峁噄迟补 or 鈥渢he science of calculation with unknowns鈥� (avyakta=unknown) in contradistinction to the name 惫测补办迟补驳补峁噄迟补 or 鈥渢he science of calculation with knowns鈥� (vyakta=known) for arithmetic including geometry and mensuration. According to Bh膩skara II, algebra (产墨箩补驳补峁噄迟补) may be defined as the science which treats of numbers expressed by means of symbols, and in which there is scope and primary need for intelligent artifices and ingenious devices. The origin of Hindu algebra can be definitely traced back to the period of the 艢ulba (800-500 B.C.) and the Br膩hma峁嘺 (c. 2000 B.C.). But it was then mostly geometrical.
The early Hindus regarded algebra as a science of great importance and utility. In the opening verses of the Br膩hmasphu峁璦siddh膩nta (treatise on algebra), Brahmagupta (628) observes: 鈥淪ince questions can scarcely be known (i.e., solved) without algebra, therefore, I shall speak of algebra with examples. [...] By knowing the pulveriser, zero, negative and positive quantities, unknowns, elimination of the middle term, equations with one unknown, factum and the Square-nature, one becomes the learned professor (腻肠腻谤测补) amongst the learned鈥�.
The science of algebra is broadly divided by the Hindus into two principal parts. Of these - the most important one deals with analysis (bija). The other part treats of the subjects which are essential for analysis. They are: the laws of signs, the arithmetic of zero (and infinity), operations with unknowns, surds, the pulveriser (or the indeterminate equation of the first degree), and the Square-nature (or the so-called Pellian equation). To these some writers add concurrence and dissimilar operations, while others include them in arithmetic.
Ganita (啶椸ぃ啶苦い) or Ganitashastra refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+447): Bijaganita, Avyaktarashi, Bija, Sthirakuttaka, Kshaya, Laghumula, Avyaktaganita, Padmanabhabija, Ganita, Adikarana, Samikarana, Kuttaka, Madhyamaharana, Yavattavat, Ghataprakashaka, Vijaganita, Vargamula, Dridhakuttaka, Apavarta, Vajrabhyasa.
Relevant text
Search found 26 books and stories containing Algebra; (plurals include: Algebras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Glories of India (Culture and Civilization) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
Knowledge of Mathematics in ancient India < [Chapter 6 - Practical sciences]
Buddhists literature in Pali < [Chapter 7 - Original literatures]
Knowledge of Astronomy (Jyotisha-shastra) in ancient India < [Chapter 6 - Practical sciences]
Bachelor < [October 1969]
The Glory Land that was India Role of < [January 鈥� March, 1999]
Mother India < [July 鈥� September, 2003]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 291 < [Volume 6 (1882)]
Formal Education System in Ancient India (by Sushmita Nath)
Subjects studied in the S奴tra Period < [Chapter 5 - Subjects studied in the Vedic and Buddhist period]
Significance of the Moon in Ancient Civilizations (by Radhakrishnan. P)
7. Watery Moon < [Chapter 15 - Conclusion]
Related products
