Mathematics & Computer Science
Negative numbers and sign rules
628 CEBrahmaguptaBrahmasphutasiddhantaPan-Indian / unspecified
628 CE
Systematic rules using 'fortunes' (positive) and 'debts' (negative), including that debt x debt = fortune.
- 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
- Verified-web
Meanwhile in the West
European mathematicians resisted negatives until the 17th-18th c.
Fair to say
Chinese rod numerals also handled negatives; Brahmagupta gave explicit rules.
Path to modern innovation
Foundational to algebra, accounting, physics.
Builds on
Transmission
Reached Europe through Arabic algebra.
Primary sources
References
- 1Brahmasphutasiddhanta (628 CE)
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-004 on GitHub.