Mathematics & Computer Science
Accurate approximation of pi
499 CEAryabhataAryabhatiyaPan-Indian / unspecified
499 CE
Gave pi ~ 3.1416 (62832/20000) and hinted it was 'approximate' (irrational in spirit).
- Dated
- 499 CE
- As scholars put it
- 499 CE
- Originator
- Aryabhata
- Source text
- Aryabhatiya
- Region
- Pan-Indian / unspecified
- Discipline
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Evidence
- Documented
- Confidence
- High
- Verification
- Reference-cited
Meanwhile in the West
Comparable European accuracy came much later.
Fair to say
Archimedes had already bounded pi; Aryabhata's value was independently precise.
Path to modern innovation
Pi is fundamental to geometry, engineering, physics.
Transmission
Independent traditions.
Primary sources
- 3The Aryabhatiya Of AryabhataUnreviewed
- 4Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata: 3 volumesUnreviewed
References
- 1Aryabhatiya (499 CE)
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-009 on GitHub.