CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIAN MATHEMATICIANS
1. BRAHAMAGUPTA
Invention of Zero:
According to him, zero is a number that is obtained, when a number is
subtracted from itself. He also mentioned some properties of zero, where
positive numbers are termed as fortunes and negative numbers are termed as
debt.
Approximation of PI:
Brahmagupta also tried to approximate the value of π. He used √10 ≈
3.1622….. approximated to 3, as an accurate value of π with an error of less
than 1%.
Intermediate equations:
Brahamagupta proposed some methods to solve equations of the type
ax + by = c. He used continued fractions to solve such equations. He also tried
to solve quadratic equations of the type ax² + c = y² and ax² – c = y².
Interpolation Formula:
Brahmagupta was the first who propose an interpolation formula using
second-order difference. Today, the Brahmagupta interpolation formula is
known as Newton- Stirling interpolation formula.
Mensuration and Construction:
Brahmagupta illustrated the construction of several figures with arbitrary
sides. He tried to construct figures such as isosceles triangles, scalene
triangles, rectangles, isosceles trapezoids, isosceles trapezoids with three equal
sides, and scalene cyclic quadrilateral, mainly, with the help of right triangles.
He also gave the volume and surface area of some figures, after estimating the
value of π. He found the volume of rectangular prisms, pyramids and frustum
of a square pyramid. He further proposed the average depth of a series of pits.
Sum of Series:
He gave the sum of, a series of cubes and a series of squares for the first n
natural numbers as follows:
1² + 2² +…….+n² = (n)(n+1)(2n+1)⁄6 and 1³ + 2³ +…….+n³ = (n(n+1)⁄2)²
Cyclic Quadilaterals:
Brahmagupta’s formula for the cyclic quadrilaterals is regarded as his most
famous discovery in geometry. Given the sides of a cyclic quadrilateral, he
provided an approximate and exact formula for the area of the cyclic
quadrilateral. He mentioned: The approximate area is the product of the
halves of the sums of the sides and opposite sides of a triangle and a
quadrilateral. The accurate area is the square root from the product of
the halves of the sums of the sides diminished by each side of the
quadrilateral.
In the figure below, p, q, r, s are the sides of the cyclic quadrilateral. Its
approximate area is given by ((p+r)⁄2 × (q+s)⁄2),
whereas, the exact area is given by √(t – p)(t – q)(t – r)(t – s), where
t = (p+q+r+s)⁄2. Also, Heron’s formula is a special case of the Brahmagupta
formula, which can be obtained by setting one side equal to zero.
Brahmagupta theorem states that: If a cyclic quadrilateral is orthodiagonal
(i.e., has perpendicular diagonals), then the perpendicular to a side from the
point of intersection of the diagonals always bisects the opposite side.”
2. Srinivasa Ramanujan
Infinite series for pi: Ramanujan found a formula for infinite series for
pi, which forms the basis of many algorithms used today.
Game theory: Ramanujan discovered a long list of new ideas for solving many
challenging mathematical problems that have given great impetus to the
development of game theory. His contribution to game theory is purely based
on intuition and natural talent and is unmatched to this day.
Mock theta function: He elaborated on the mock theta function, a concept in
the field of modular forms of mathematics.
Ramanujan number: 1729 is known as the Ramanujan number which is the
sum of the cubes of two numbers 10 and 9.
Circle Method: Ramanujan invented the circle method which gave the first
approximations of the partition of numbers beyond 200.
Theta Function: Ramanujan theta function is used to determine the critical
dimensions in Bosonic string theory, superstring theory, and M-theory.
Other Notable Contributions: Ramanujan’s contributions stretch across
mathematics fields, including complex analysis, number theory, infinite series,
and continued fractions., hypergeometric series, the Riemann series, the elliptic
integrals, the theory of divergent series, and the functional equations of the zeta
function.
3. Varahamihira
He improved the precision of Aryabhata’s sine tables.
He defined the algebraic properties of zero and negative numbers, as well as the
properties of positive and negative numbers.
He was also one of the first mathematicians to discover a variant of the Pascal’s
triangle.
He used it to figure out how to measure binomial coefficients.
He created the first 4×4 magic square.
4. Bharti Krishna Tirtha
Vedic Maths was discovered by Shri Bharti Krishna Tiratha
He is called Father of Vedic Maths.
He wrote a book by the name of Vedic Mathematics. It contains
Vedic Sutras or also called as Formulas which are short cut tricks
and techniques in Maths Arithmetic Calculations and has benefits and
fundamentals to adoptive mental maths and speed in maths
He gave 16 formulas and 13 sub-formulas. The formulas are known as sutras.
There are 5 basic rules of Vedic Maths: Nikhilam Sutra, Gyarasguna Sutra,
Ekanunena Purneva Sutra, Antyaordasake Pi, and Navamguna Sutra.
5. Neelkantha Somayaji
The following is a brief description of the works by Nilakantha Somayaji dealing with
astronomy and mathematics.
Tantrasangraha : Series expansions for the common trigonometric functions.
Golasara: Mathematical computations are used to calculate astronomical data.
Siddhanta Darpana: used to describe a planetary model.
Candracchayaganita: explains the computational methods used to calculate
the moon's zenith distance.
Jyotirmimamsa: Analysis of astronomy.
Grahapariksakrama : Description of the principles and methods for
verifying astronomical computations by regular observations.
Grahanadi-grantha : Rationale of the necessity of correcting old astronomical
constants by observations
