Mathematics & Computer Science
Pascal's triangle (Meru-prastara)
described by 10th c. CEPingala; commentator HalayudhaChandahshastra with Halayudha's commentaryPan-Indian / unspecified
901 CE
The triangular array of binomial coefficients, used for counting metre combinations.
- Dated
- 901 CE–1000
- As scholars put it
- described by 10th c. CE
- Originator
- Pingala; commentator Halayudha
- Source text
- Chandahshastra with Halayudha's commentary
- Region
- Pan-Indian / unspecified
- Discipline
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Evidence
- Documented
- Confidence
- High
- Verification
- Verified-web
Meanwhile in the West
Named after Blaise Pascal (17th c.).
Fair to say
The array was known in several cultures independently.
Path to modern innovation
Core to combinatorics and probability.
Transmission
Independent European rediscovery; also known in China (Yang Hui).
References
- 1Halayudha's commentary
- 2Edwards, Pascal's Arithmetical Triangle
Further reading
Related
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-007 on GitHub.