In Hinduism

Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Avyaktagaṇita (अव्यक्तगणित) or “algebra” refers to the “science of calculation by the ‘unknown’”.—It is a technical term commonly found in gaṇita-śāstra (ancient Indian mathematics).—The carrying out of mathematical calculations was sometimes called dhūlīkarma (“dust-work”), because the figures were written on dust spread on a board or on the ground. Some later writers have used the term vyaktagaṇita (“the science of calculation by the ‘known’”) for pāṭī-gaṇita to distinguish it from algebra which was called avyaktagaṇita (“the science of calculation by the ‘unknown’”).

What distinguishes algebra from arithmetic, according to the Hindus, will be found to some extent in their special names. Both deal with symbols. But in arithmetic the values of the symbols are vyakta, that is, known and definitely determinate, while in algebra they are avyakta [i.e., avyaktagaṇita] that is, unknown, indefinite. The relation between these two branches of gaṇita is considered by Bhāskara II in the Bījagaṇita to be this:—“The science of calculation with unknowns is the source of the science of calculation with knowns. [...] Algebra is similar to arithmetic in respect of rules (of fundamental operations) but appears as if it were indeterminate. It is not indeterminate to the intelligent; it is certainly not sixfold, but manifold”.

context information

Ganita (गणित) or Ganitashastra refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

avyaktagaṇita (अव्यक्तगणित).—m S Arithmetic of unknown quantities, algebra.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Avyaktagaṇita (अव्यक्तगणित):—[=a-vyakta-gaṇita] [from a-vyakta] n. idem

[Sanskrit to German]

Avyaktaganita in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ganita, Avyakta.

Full-text: Vyakta, Avyakta, Dhulikarma, Kuttakaganita, Algebra, Pati, Patiganita, Vyaktaganita, Bijaganita.

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Search found 2 books and stories containing Avyaktaganita, Avyakta-ganita, Avyakta-gaṇita, Avyaktagaṇita; (plurals include: Avyaktaganitas, ganitas, gaṇitas, Avyaktagaṇitas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Glories of India (Culture and Civilization) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)

Knowledge of Mathematics in ancient India < [Chapter 6 - Practical sciences]

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Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 54 - Mathematics and Astronomy (Gaṇita / Jyotiṣa) < [Part 2 - Dvitīya-pāda]

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