Bhaskaracharya - The Great Mathematician!

Bhaskaracharya - The Great Mathematician!

In 1114, was born a boy in Brahmin astrologer Mahesvara’s home at Ujjain. He was soon to redefine the rules of mathematics as it was followed then. Bhaskara, later known as Bhaskaracharya (Aacharya meant Teacher in those times), was taught mathematics and astrology by his father and went on to lead the prestigious astronomical observatory (in Ujjain) which was also the leading mathematical centre in India.

This great mathematician wrote many books. His main work “Siddhānta Shiromani” ("Crown of treatises) is divided into four parts called Lilāvati, Bijaganita, Grahaganita and Golādhyāya. These four sections deal with arithmetic, algebra, mathematics of the planets, and spheres respectively!

He reached an understanding of the number systems and solving equations which was not to be achieved in Europe for several centuries. Some of his original concepts he pioneered are:

- He almost accurately calculated the time that is required for the Earth to orbit the Sun as 365.2588 days. The modern accepted measurement is 365.2563 days, a difference of just 3.5 minutes!

- The Earth is not flat, has no support and has a power of attraction

- One day of Moon is equivalent to 15 earth-days and one night is also equivalent to 15 earth-days.

- He conceived the convention that when a finite number is divided by zero, the result is infinity.

- He was the first to create a wheel that he claimed would run forever (A perpetual motion machine). This was famously called Bhaskara wheel

- He anticipated the modern convention of signs (i.e. minus by minus makes plus, minus by plus makes minus)

- Defined concepts around Trigonometry, algebra, calculus etc much before pioneers like Newton or Rolle were born.

After he died in 1185, an educational institution was set up, in 1207, by his son to study Bhaskaracharya's works. A medieval inscription there reads:-

"Triumphant is the illustrious Bhaskaracharya whose feats are revered by both the wise and the learned. A poet endowed with fame and religious merit, he is like the crest on a peacock."

(Prepared for Ruhin Raghuvanshi..)