Page 6 - Oct-Dec 2016

MARVELS OF MATHEMATICS DID YOU KNOW?

The Pythagoras theorem is credited
“We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count without to the Greek mathematician
which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.” Pythagoras. But in reality, he
-Albert Einstein learnt his basic geometry from the
Sulbasutras, as he was familiar with
HARAppAN GENIUS the Upanishads.
harappans were a literate society. The harappans
adopted a uniform system of
weights and measurements. ZERO THE HERO!
it is clearly evident from the The word ‘Zero’ in indian
terracotta seals and coins tradition stands for
found in archaeological ‘shunya’ meaning void or
excavations and ancient empty. india is recognized
collections. The findings tell with great respect for its
us that the numerals appeared invention of the Zero. it
in vertical lines. The series of was invented first in india
ratios of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, by Brahmagupta in 7th
5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 century Ce. he was the
were discovered and analysed. first one to use the Zero
scales for measuring length to formalise arithmetic
were also discovered during the excavations.
operations. he made use
The Mohenjo Daro ruler found from the excavation at of dots underneath numbers which were indicative
lothal (the measurements used in maintaining the brick of a Zero. The concept of Zero was not just a symbol
sizes) gives an accurate decimal system used by them. The for separation. Practical calculations were carried
unit of measurement of 1.32 inches has been called the out using the Zero, which was treated like any other
Indus Inch. number even in the case of division.
Roshani Bagaria, X-A, Dundlod Vidyapeeth, Dundlod

VEDIC VISIONARIES
THE INDIAN TRICk!
The sulbasutras (800-500 bCe) give us the first ever
knowledge on beginning of mathematics (geometric Most ancient indian mathematical texts are
principles) in india. it is a rule book on construction of actually copies of the texts that are hundreds of
altars. as yajnas were an important part of brahamanical years old. and these
copies are copies of
rituals, altars were made in exact measurements. The copies of copies...
oldest of sulbasutras belong to Baudhayana. Other major passed through
sulbasutras were composed by Manava, apastamba the ages. Can you
and Katyayana. During the later Vedic period, brahmi imagine copying a
numerals were maths book without
BraHMI NuMEralS
developed (1000-600 making any errors.
bCe). it had no symbol what was the trick?
for 0. The rock and all math problems
pillar edicts during were written in
asoka’s time mention verses and could be
the use of the brahmi easily memorised,
numerals. chanted, or sung!
Illustration by: Madhav Kukreja, VIII-A, Scholars
Home, Dehradun

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