Mathematics & Computer Science
Brahmagupta's general rule for quadratics
628 CEBrahmaguptaBrahmasphutasiddhantaPan-Indian / unspecified
628 CE
A general verbal rule for solving quadratic equations, with negative quantities allowed.
- Dated
- 628 CE
- As scholars put it
- 628 CE
- Originator
- Brahmagupta
- Source text
- Brahmasphutasiddhanta
- Region
- Pan-Indian / unspecified
- Discipline
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Evidence
- Documented
- Confidence
- High
- Verification
- Reference-cited
Meanwhile in the West
Babylonian scribes solved specific quadratics far earlier.
Fair to say
Specific quadratics were solved in Babylon and Greece; Brahmagupta's rule is a general statement.
Path to modern innovation
A step toward general algebraic solution.
628 CEBrahmagupta's general rule for quadratics
Transmission
Transmitted via Arabic algebra.
References
- 1Brahmasphutasiddhanta
- 2Plofker (2009)
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-241 on GitHub.