Mathematics & Computer Science
Hint that pi is irrational
c. 1500 CENilakantha SomayajiAryabhatiya-bhashyaPan-Indian / unspecified
1500
Suggested that the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter can never be expressed exactly.
- Dated
- 1500
- As scholars put it
- c. 1500 CE
- Originator
- Nilakantha Somayaji
- Source text
- Aryabhatiya-bhashya
- Region
- Pan-Indian / unspecified
- Discipline
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Evidence
- Plausible precursor
- Confidence
- Medium
- Verification
- Reference-cited
Meanwhile in the West
Lambert proved pi irrational in 1761.
Fair to say
A remark, not a proof.
Path to modern innovation
An early intuition about irrationality.
Builds on
References
- 1Plofker (2009)
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-250 on GitHub.