Ancient Indian Mathematics: Saurabh Panjwani

Motivation
Indian Numerals and Place Value System

Arithmetic
Ancient Indian Mathematics

Saurabh Panjwani
April 7, 2007
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic
Why learn about Ancient Indian Math today?

I
Many classical mathematical ideas were invented in India in

the Chriastian era.
I
Concept of zero, decimal system, place value, fundamental

theorems in geometry, arithmetic, algebra born in India.
Points of pride for us Indians :)
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

I

the Chriastian era.
I

A lot of this is talked about, little is known

I
Even what we assume to know is often wrong.

I
I
I
e.g., Aryabhatta was not the one to invent the zero!
Did we ever learn this in school? Shouldnt we teach it today?

Some new math for you (e.g., how quickly can you multiply?)
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

I

the Chriastian era.
I

A lot of this is talked about, little is known

I
Even what we assume to know is often wrong.

I
I
I
e.g., Aryabhatta was not the one to invent the zero!
Did we ever learn this in school? Shouldnt we teach it today?

Some new math for you (e.g., how quickly can you multiply?)
Learn about fascinating aspects of Indian culture

I
I
Mathematics was also rooted in religion

Inclination towards rote learning is in our blood..
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic
Numbers in Ancient India

Zero and Place Value
10 used as basis of enumeration since Vedic times.

I
Hindus dealt comfortably with upto 18 denominations.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
Could conceive extremely large numbers..

I
I
I
I
Yajurveda Samhita: paraardha = 1012 .

Lalitavistaara (5th Cent. BC): tallakshana = 1053 .
Pali grammar: asaankheya = 10140 .
Anuyogadvaara Sutra (A Jain text, 100BC): Seershaprahelikaa
= 10194 .
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
Could conceive extremely large numbers..

I
I
I
I

Yajurveda Samhita: paraardha = 1012 .
Lalitavistaara (5th Cent. BC): tallakshana = 1053 .
Pali grammar: asaankheya = 10140 .
Anuyogadvaara Sutra (A Jain text, 100BC): Seershaprahelikaa
= 10194 .
.. and pretty small ones, too!

I
I
Artha Shaastra (4th Cent. BC): pramaanu 1.3 710 in.

1
Satapatha Braahmana (2000 BC): praana 17
th second.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Scripts
I
No clear evidence of when Indians started writing numbers.

I
I
Even mathematical and astronomial texts written in prose!

Historians surmise based on inscriptions and excavated data.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Scripts
I

I
I

Kharosthi script
I
right to left, no place value, brough in from Afghan.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Scripts
I

I
I
Kharosthi script
I

Brahmi script
National script of ancient Hindus (1000 BC). Some claim it to be

basis of Nagri script .
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Scripts
I

I
I
Kharosthi script
I

Brahmi script
National script of ancient Hindus (1000 BC). Some claim it to be

basis of Nagri script .
I
Nagri script
I
The mother of the modern decimal system; first one to

incorporate place value
Historians guess it was born in the 1st century BC.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Invention of Zero
Well accepted that both the concept and the symbol of zero
were invented in India.
I
The importance of the invention of zero can never be

exaggerated. No single mathematical creation has been more
potent for the general on-go of intelligence and power.
- Prof. Halsted
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Invention of Zero
The zero symbol

I
First occurrence in Chandaahsutra due to Pingala (< 200 BC).
Sometimes put on top of numbers to denote place value e.g. 3
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Invention of Zero
The zero symbol

I
First occurrence in Chandaahsutra due to Pingala (< 200 BC).
Sometimes put on top of numbers to denote place value e.g. 3
The zero concept

I
I
I
Bakhshaali manuscript (200 BC): first calculations involving 0.

First treatment as a digit: Pancha Siddhaantika (505 AD).
Sometimes used to depict an infinitesimal value e.g., when
computing limits
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Place Value
Earliest mention in Anuyogadvaara Sutra (100 BC):

I
The total number of human beings in the world, when

expressed in terms of denominations, occupies 29 places
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Place Value

I

Also mentioned in Puranas

I
In case of multiples from the units place, the value of each

place is ten times the value of the preceding place.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Place Value

I
Also mentioned in Puranas

I

In case of multiples from the units place, the value of each
place is ten times the value of the preceding place.
Historians: place value invented around 200 BC.

I
I
At this time, Romans and Greeks couldnt write beyond 104 !

Babylonians did have place value, but base was 60. (:-?)
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic
Teaching Principles and Philosophies

The Fundamental Operations
Fractions and Proportions
Exposition and Teaching

I
Conciseness of exposition, especially in scientific matters, was

highly prized.
I
I
General mentality: compact is cool!

Hard to decipher their mathematical texts, even today.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

highly prized.
I
I

Arithmetic done on dust, spread on ground or on a board.

(Use your fingers; get your hands dirty!)
I
I
dhooli-karma dust work; or

patti-ganita math done on a board (patti = board)
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

highly prized.
I
I
Arithmetic done on dust, spread on ground or on a board.

(Use your fingers; get your hands dirty!)
I
I

dhooli-karma dust work; or

patti-ganita math done on a board (patti = board)
Teaching method emphasized rote learning

I
Three-step process of teaching math rules: memorize, practice,

and then, rationalize. (Many students didnt reach last stage.)
Stress on oral education.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Birth and Death of mathematics
Religion was of supreme importance in Vedic times.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
.. and religion necessitated study of astronomy.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

I
.. and astronomy required doing hard math. So there!
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

I
Scientific approach was not deemed a hinderance to spiritual

knowledge. Eventually, math fluorished for its own sake.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

I
Scientific approach was not deemed a hinderance to spiritual

knowledge. Eventually, math fluorished for its own sake.
Most mathematical research occurred upto 12th Cent. AD.
I
Post 12th Cent. AD, weve been busy grappling invaders.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

The Basic Operations

I
Addition and Subtraction

I
Two methods: direct (what we use today) and inverse (go

from left to right). Some regarded inverse as easier!
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

I

Multiplication: mentioned in Sulba Sutras (800 BC)

I
I
I
Six methods known: door-junction (kapaat sandhi),

comparment method, cross multiplication, zig-zag, by places
and by parts. (Various short-cuts practised.)
Dhuli-karma necessitated erasing and re-writing in calculations.
Shorter methods for squaring known.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

I
Multiplication: mentioned in Sulba Sutras (800 BC)

I
I
I

Six methods known: door-junction (kapaat sandhi),
comparment method, cross multiplication, zig-zag, by places
and by parts. (Various short-cuts practised.)
Dhuli-karma necessitated erasing and re-writing in calculations.
Shorter methods for squaring known.
Division: known to Indians before 4th Cent. AD

I
I
Removing common factors known even before that.

In Europe, division was believed to be hard till 15th Cent. AD
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Square Root and Cube Root (yes! these were called basic
operations)
I
Aryabhatta explains method for finding both types of roots in

just 2 shlokas (Sanskrit verses) .
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Square Root and Cube Root (yes! these were called basic
operations)
I
Aryabhatta explains method for finding both types of roots in

just 2 shlokas (Sanskrit verses) .
Checking by Nines (10th Cent. AD): A method to verify

correctness of all operations.
I
Sum the operands to single digit; sum the result

(product/quotient/..) to single digit; the operation performed
on these summed-up values should still be correct.
Necessary, not sufficient, condition!
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
Mention of the fraction 3/8 in the Rig Veda (< 1000 BC)
I
I
Artha Shaastra mentions various fractional measures.

cf. Babylonians used fractions but only with unit numerators
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
I
I

Fractions were divided into classes.

I
There were no notations for basic operations! Instead,

notations existed for fraction classes like ba dc , ba of dc , etc.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
I
I

I

Basic operations easily extended to fractions. Division by 0

was not recognized.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
I
I

I


was not recognized.
The Rule of Three: The seed of todays Unitary Method
I
In the rule of three, multiply the phala (fruit) by the ichchha

(desire), and divide by the pramaana (argument). The result is
- Aryabhtta (499 AD)
the phala of the ichchha.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I
I
I

I


was not recognized.
The Rule of Three: The seed of todays Unitary Method
I
I
Referred to as the Golden Rule in Europe, later on.

Compound proportions (rule of 5, rule of 7, . . . ) known, too.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Other Notable Contributions

I
Besides arithmetic, much pioneering work was done in algebra

and geometry
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

and geometry
I
Solving bivariate quadratic equations was known during

Aryabhattas time.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

and geometry
I

Aryabhattas time.
Aryabhatta (499 AD) made many fundamental contributions:
I
I
I
Computing the area of triangles, pyramids, trapeziums

Area of a circle! He first noted that is transcendental.
His kuttaka method for solving diophantine equations
(ax by = c) used today in grad school math classes.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic


I

and geometry
I

Aryabhattas time.
Aryabhatta (499 AD) made many fundamental contributions:
I
I
I
Computing the area of triangles, pyramids, trapeziums

Area of a circle! He first noted that is transcendental.
His kuttaka method for solving diophantine equations
(ax by = c) used today in grad school math classes.
More trivia . . .
I
The first proof of Pythogoras Theorem appears in the Sulba

Sutras (800 BC).
Aryabhatta gave the first astronomical constant, computed the
exact length of the earths day (upto 0.1 secs) and its
circumference (with 0.2% error).
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Think about it. . .

I
The basic tenets of mathematics were, largely, invented in

India.
I
The modern number system was born in India. (Can you

imagine a world without it?)
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Think about it. . .

I
The basic tenets of mathematics were, largely, invented in

India.
I
The modern number system was born in India. (Can you

imagine a world without it?)
I ask: Why arent we teaching this stuff in schools today?

I
I
Ignorance, inaccessibility of old texts.. or lack of initiative.

Can Udai help? Two ideas I propose:
I
(Short-term) Use a medium like DSH (Digital StudyHall) to

convey these ideas quickly to a large network of schools.
(Long-term) Write a book on this topic which is accessible to
school-children. (Books in the market currently not
interesting/understandable for school-goers). Eventually,
affect a change in school syllabi.
Contact me (saurabh.panjwani@gmail.com), if interested in
willing to help.
Saurabh Panjwani
Motivation
Arithmetic

Sources
History of Hindu Mathematics. Bibhutibhusan Datta and

Avadesh Narayan Singh. Asia publishing House (1962).
The Aryabhatiya of Aryabhatta. Walter E. Clark. University

of Chicago Press (1930).
Wikipedia
Saurabh Panjwani

Ancient Indian Mathematics: Saurabh Panjwani

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ancient Indian Mathematics: Saurabh Panjwani

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Motivation

Indian Numerals and Place Value System

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Why learn about Ancient Indian Math today?

Many classical mathematical ideas were invented in India in

Concept of zero, decimal system, place value, fundamental

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Why learn about Ancient Indian Math today?

Many classical mathematical ideas were invented in India in

Concept of zero, decimal system, place value, fundamental

A lot of this is talked about, little is known

Even what we assume to know is often wrong.

e.g., Aryabhatta was not the one to invent the zero!

Did we ever learn this in school? Shouldnt we teach it today?

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Why learn about Ancient Indian Math today?

Many classical mathematical ideas were invented in India in

Concept of zero, decimal system, place value, fundamental

A lot of this is talked about, little is known

Even what we assume to know is often wrong.

e.g., Aryabhatta was not the one to invent the zero!

Did we ever learn this in school? Shouldnt we teach it today?

Learn about fascinating aspects of Indian culture

Mathematics was also rooted in religion

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Numbers in Ancient India

Numbers in Ancient India

10 used as basis of enumeration since Vedic times.

Hindus dealt comfortably with upto 18 denominations.

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Numbers in Ancient India

Numbers in Ancient India

10 used as basis of enumeration since Vedic times.

Hindus dealt comfortably with upto 18 denominations.

Could conceive extremely large numbers..

Yajurveda Samhita: paraardha = 1012 .

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Numbers in Ancient India

Numbers in Ancient India

10 used as basis of enumeration since Vedic times.

Could conceive extremely large numbers..

Hindus dealt comfortably with upto 18 denominations.

.. and pretty small ones, too!

Artha Shaastra (4th Cent. BC): pramaanu 1.3 710 in.

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Numbers in Ancient India

No clear evidence of when Indians started writing numbers.

Even mathematical and astronomial texts written in prose!

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Numbers in Ancient India

No clear evidence of when Indians started writing numbers.

Even mathematical and astronomial texts written in prose!

right to left, no place value, brough in from Afghan.

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Numbers in Ancient India

No clear evidence of when Indians started writing numbers.

Even mathematical and astronomial texts written in prose!

National script of ancient Hindus (1000 BC). Some claim it to be

Ancient Indian Mathematics

Numbers in Ancient India

No clear evidence of when Indians started writing numbers.