Mahavira (mathematician)
Mahavira was an Indian mathematician of the ninth century .
He belonged to the religion of Jainism and worked in Mysore at a school of mathematicians (especially the Jaina school of mathematicians). His only known work is Ganitasarasangraha (around 850). It summarizes the mathematical knowledge of his time, builds on the work of Brahmagupta (as well as Aryabhata I. , Bhaskara I. ), simplifies this in various places and adds additions. It is the earliest Indian work devoted exclusively to mathematics. Earlier works were mostly related to astronomy.
The book shows his familiarity with a number place system . He dealt with calculating with fractions, calculating the cube root, solutions of linear equations with unknowns (whereby integer solutions are sought), permutations and combinations, calculating the volume of a sphere and formulas for the chordal quadrilateral . He gave an approximate formula for the area and circumference of an ellipse.
literature
- David Pingree : Mahāvīra. In: Dictionary of Scientific Biography . Volume 9. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1974, ISBN 0-684-10120-3 , p. 22.
- Editions of the Ganitasarasangraha by M. Ran̄gācārya in English translation (Madras 1912) and in Hindi by Laksmicandra ( Jaina as Jīvarāma Jaina Granthamālā , Solapura 1963)
Web links
- John J. O'Connor, Edmund F. Robertson : Mahavira (mathematician). In: MacTutor History of Mathematics archive .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Mahavira |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Indian mathematician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 9th century |
| DATE OF DEATH | 9th century or 10th century |