Ancient Indian scholars
had made substantial contributions to the vast field of mathematics. In modern
times, however, one mathematician showed the signs of a great genius and it’s
none other than Srinivasa Ramanujan. Every year, on his birth anniversary, 22
Dec, we commemorate National Mathematics Day. The key objective behind
observing the day is to raise awareness among mankind about the significance of
mathematics for the intellectual progress of humanity.
S. Ramanujan had an
exceptional instinctive grasp of mathematics from a very young age and he
continued his exceptional work despite various challenges. He developed various
theories in mathematics, published his first paper in 1911 and was the second
Indian to be included as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918. In fact, India has been a spectacular abode
of mathematicians since ages. From Aryabhata (476–550 CE) to Shakuntala Devi
(1929-2013 AD), the holy land has seen many prodigious talents. All across the world, it is known that some
highly advanced mathematical discoveries were made at ancient times in India.
If look at some
Post-Vedic mathematicians (5th century BCE-11th century CE), this testifies the
richness of our great legacy in Mathematics for example:
·
Aryabhata
(476–550 CE) who was behind the approximation for pi (π)
·
Varahamihira (505–587 CE) discovered various trigonometric
formulas
·
Yativṛṣabha – A 6th-century mathematician who wrote the book
‘Tiloyapannatti’ about diverse units for measuring time and distance and
concepts of infinity
·
Shridhara
(between 650–850) – Behind a rule on Sphere’s Volume
·
Brahmagupta
(598–670 CE) – Helped in defining the concept of ‘Zero. the
most fascinating concept that became the foundation of the modern mathematics
The Indian Philosophical Concept of
‘Nothingness’ & Zero
It was
as early as the third Century that Indian mathematicians evolved an idea that
later became the foundation of the modern mathematics. That idea is ‘Zero’ and
many scholars have linked it with the Indian philosophical concept of
‘nothingness’ (शून्यता). Everyone
knows that ‘meditation’ has been an integral part of our ancient culture and we
were experimenting with the concept of ‘nothingness’ and ‘emptiness’ (in mind)
in order to witness the divine glory of God. Mathematics scholars believe that Zero (शुन्य) may have arisen from this ‘Philosophy of
Emptiness’.
Indian mathematicians
Aryabhata and Brahmagupta are both readily believed to be pioneers in
describing the modern decimal place value system and various rules related to
the use of the zero symbol. And Gwalior has long been believed to be the site
where ‘zero’ occurred firstly as a ‘circle’.
Moreover, an ancient
Indian document called the Bhakshali manuscript, also shows a dot symbol-
carbon dated to the 3rd/4th centuries- which is now considered as the most
primitive recorded occurrence of the ‘zero’. According to global mathematical
researchers this placeholder dot symbol in the Bakhshali manuscript, was one of
the key breakthroughs in the annals of mathematics.
Trigonometry & India
Indian astronomers have
used the concepts of Trigonometry to estimate the relative distances between
the Moon and the Earth & the Sun and the Earth. An ancient text known as
the ‘Surya Siddhanta’, dated around 400 CE, contains the fundamentals of modern
trigonometry. Aryabhata
also worked on many concepts of Trigonometry that are still applicable.
Well, we can see how
India has a strong mathematical heritage. And the legacy still continues into the
21st century. Many
scholars are working at the forefront of every branch of mathematics. Best of
luck to them on the occasion of National Mathematics Day.
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