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| Hindu astronomer, 19th-century illustration source Wikipedia |
Introduction
Brahmagupta is an
Indian mathematician and an astronomer. He was a great astronomer as well as a
great mathematician. This great scholar was born in the seventh century AD and
through his remarkable research and books, he brought a new height to
mathematics. The meaning of zero being given as a whole number, the negative
numbers, complicated mathematical operations, astronomy-calendar, Brahmagupta
made a personal imprint in every field. His work was not solely on the Indian
subcontinent alone, but it extended to Arabia and Europe which are still
credited as the basis of cosmology.
Birth and early life
Brahmagupta was
born in 598 CE in the town of Vinamra in the region of Rajasthan of India (now
Bhinmal or Bhinnamal in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan) to the Brahmin
family. Gopal Dutt was the name of his father. Since his childhood, Brahmagupta
was interested in numbers and was interested in the movement of the planets and
stars in the sky. He trained under the school of guru-shishya in the
Astronomical Centre in Ujjain, the center of serious astronomical research in
India at the time. The spiritual and scientific aura of ancient India enhanced
his curiosity to get knowledge. As a young boy, he was also able to solve
complicated problems in mathematics and also acquired some knowledge of
astronomy by looking at the sky. This early learning helped him to become an
excellent mathematician and astronomer in his adulthood.
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| Diagram for reference source Wikipedia |
Main articles and books
Brahmagupta was a
very special mathematician and astronomer, who devoted the treasure of
knowledge of ancient India in his works. His major publications include:
1. Brahmasphutasiddhanta It was written in 628 AD. It is his best known book on astronomy and mathematics. This was the first time he described how to use and what the rules of zero (0) were. He introduced several formulas of negative numbers, fractions, square roots, geometry and trigonometry in this book. Essentially, he opposed some astronomical approaches to establish the movement of the sun, moon and planets.
2. Khandakhadyaka
It was written in 665 AD. It is a fundamentally astronomical book. It includes
the calculations of the position of the planets and stars, the forecasting of
the eclipses and the time. This book has been in use by the Indian astronomers in
centuries. Other works History mentions some of the books of Brahmagupta, which
have not entirely survived. But it is these two books that largely disseminated
his work in mathematics and astronomy around the globe. Not only was his works
translated in India, but also in the Arab world where it was later introduced
to Europe through medieval Islamic scholars. Consequently, the work of
Brahmagupta on the basis of modern mathematics and astronomy was exemplary.
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| Brahmagupta's theorem states that AF = FD.source wikipedia |
Provisions to mathematics.
Brahmagupta not only
contributed to the mathematical current of ancient India, but left a mark in
the history of world mathematics. Modern numerology, algebra and geometry are
based on his mathematical thoughts. His key contributions include the
following:
1. Zero (0) and negative
numbers He gave the first definition of zero as a number. He established the
principles of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. He formulated
the rule of negative numbers (e.g. negative numbers multiplied together make
positive ones).
2. Algebra The
method of solving the square equation was first provided by him. His simple and
quadrate equation formula can still be used today. He was the pioneer in
bringing up the idea of indeterminate and recurrent equations.
3. Geometry and
Trigonometry 1) There is a definite formula to find out the area and
circumference of a circle. He also made numerous theorems on triangles,
quadrilaterals and circles. • He also calculated the value of the constant pi
(pi) to be 3.162 and this was valid during the period.
4. Numerology Arithmetic and geometric
progressions. introduced effective square root finding and cube root finding
techniques. The rules and formulas written by Brahmagupta are said to have
entered Europe via Arab mathematicians in the Middle Ages and have been used to
establish the foundation of modern mathematics.
Contributions to astronomy
Brahmagupta
contributed a great work not only to mathematics but astronomy too. His work in
astronomy transformed time, chronology and planetary and star motion in the
Indian society of the then time. His principal contributions are summarized
below: The astronomical computations. He came up with exact mathematical
equations to calculate the path of the sun, moon and planets. * Gives useful
techniques of forecasting Solar and Lunar Eclipses. The position of the stars
His Khandakhadyaka gives the method of finding the precise location and
movement of planets and stars. He separated out the true position and the mean
position, which are both useful in contemporary astronomy. Size and speed of
the Earth He termed the earth as a spherical object. He also presented the idea
of the gravity of the earth but this was not refined as the law of Newton would
be later. The earth pulls it all to the centre. " Calendar and Calendar
System. The Hindu panchang or calendar was calculated using his calculations.
His work on finding time based on seasons, tithis, planetary motions and stars
was excellent. The cosmological ideas He described the universe as infinite,
and the planets and stars as dynamic. Write about the scientific causes of
lunar eclipses and solar eclipse (lunar eclipse - shadow of the earth; solar
eclipse - shadow of the moon). Brahmagupta is considered one of the pillars of
Indian astronomy whose work influenced not only India, but also Arab and
European astronomy.
Influence and legacy
Brahmagupta not
only contributed during his time, but also left his work, which was a treasure
to the study of mathematics and astronomy in the future generations.
Implications for India Indian astronomers and mathematicians have been using
his Brahmasphuta Siddhanta and Khandakhadyaka centuries. His rules and formulae
became essential in calculating the Hindu Panchang, Tithi and when to perform
religious rituals. Influence in the Arab World A translation into Arabic (c. 8
th -9 th century) of the works of Brahmagupta was done, the
Brahmasphutasiddhanta or Sindhind. His laws were studied by Arab mathematicians
and astronomers who applied them to the development of medieval science. The
impact in Europe Brahmagupta was made known to Europe via the Arabs. European
mathematics is based on zeros, negative numbers and algebraic rules. His work
was reconsidered in the European renaissance. Legacy He is the basis of many of
the laws of modern mathematics and astronomy. He is said to be the Father of
Zero. Even today his name is still remembered with reverence in history of
mathematics and science across the world.
Conclusion
Brahmagupta was a
very great man who introduced a new horizon in the field of mathematics and
astronomy. The theory of zero and negative numbers, algebraic solutions, the
process of calculating the movement of planets and stars or the process of
calculating time - his work is revolutionary in all spheres. His ideas have
profoundly impacted directly not only the Indian civilization, but also the
Arab world and European science. The contribution of the immortal Brahmagupta
is buried in the basis of the foundation of modern mathematics and the modern
physics and astronomy today. Hence he is rightly termed as a shining light in
Indian epistemology and the father of zero. The legacy that he left will
continue to shine on the scientific development of the human race.
