Mathematics[edit]

Some of Bhaskara's contributions to mathematics include the following:

A proof of the Pythagorean theorem by calculating the same area in two different ways and
then canceling out terms to get a2 + b2 = c2.

In Lilavati, solutions of quadratic, cubic and quartic indeterminate equations are explained.[11]

Solutions of indeterminate quadratic equations (of the type ax2 + b = y2).

Integer solutions of linear and quadratic indeterminate equations (Kuttaka). The rules he
gives are (in effect) the same as those given by the RenaissanceEuropean mathematicians
of the 17th century

A cyclic Chakravala method for solving indeterminate equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = y.
The solution to this equation was traditionally attributed to William Brouncker in 1657, though
his method was more difficult than the chakravala method.

The first general method for finding the solutions of the problem x2 ny2 = 1 (so-called "Pell's
equation") was given by Bhaskara II.[12]

Solutions of Diophantine equations of the second order, such as 61x2 + 1 = y2. This very
equation was posed as a problem in 1657 by the French mathematicianPierre de Fermat, but
its solution was unknown in Europe until the time of Euler in the 18th century.[13]

Solved quadratic equations with more than one unknown, and

found negative and irrational solutions.[citation needed]

Preliminary concept of mathematical analysis.

Preliminary concept of infinitesimal calculus, along with notable contributions

towards integral calculus.[14]

Conceived differential calculus, after discovering the derivative and differential coefficient.

Stated Rolle's theorem, a special case of one of the most important theorems in analysis,
the mean value theorem. Traces of the general mean value theorem are also found in his
works.

Calculated the derivatives of trigonometric functions and formulae. (See Calculus section
below.)

In Siddhanta Shiromani, Bhaskara developed spherical trigonometry along with a number of

other trigonometric results. (See Trigonometry section below.)

Arithmetic[edit]
Bhaskara's arithmetic text Leelavati covers the topics of definitions, arithmetical terms, interest
computation, arithmetical and geometrical progressions, plane geometry, solid geometry, the
shadow of the gnomon, methods to solve indeterminate equations, and combinations.
Lilavati is divided into 13 chapters and covers many branches of mathematics, arithmetic,
algebra, geometry, and a little trigonometry and mensuration. More specifically the contents
include:

Definitions.

Properties of zero (including division, and rules of operations with zero).

Further extensive numerical work, including use of negative numbers and surds.

Estimation of .

Arithmetical terms, methods of multiplication, and squaring.

Inverse rule of three, and rules of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

Problems involving interest and interest computation.

Indeterminate equations (Kuttaka), integer solutions (first and second order). His
contributions to this topic are particularly important,[citation needed] since the rules he gives are (in
effect) the same as those given by the renaissance European mathematicians of the 17th
century, yet his work was of the 12th century. Bhaskara's method of solving was an
improvement of the methods found in the work of Aryabhata and subsequent
mathematicians.

His work is outstanding for its systemisation, improved methods and the new topics that he has
introduced. Furthermore the Lilavati contained excellent recreative problems and it is thought that
Bhaskara's intention may have be.

Algebra[edit]
His Bijaganita ("Algebra") was a work in twelve chapters. It was the first text to recognize that a
positive number has two square roots (a positive and negative square root).[15] His
work Bijaganita is effectively a treatise on algebra and contains the following topics:

Positive and negative numbers.

Zero.

The 'unknown' (includes determining unknown quantities).

Determining unknown quantities.

Surds (includes evaluating surds).

Kuttaka (for solving indeterminate equations and Diophantine equations).

Simple equations (indeterminate of second, third and fourth degree).

Simple equations with more than one unknown.

Indeterminate quadratic equations (of the type ax2 + b = y2).

Solutions of indeterminate equations of the second, third and fourth degree.

Quadratic equations.

Quadratic equations with more than one unknown.

Operations with products of several unknowns.

Bhaskara derived a cyclic, chakravala method for solving indeterminate quadratic equations of
the form ax2 + bx + c = y.[16] Bhaskara's method for finding the solutions of the problem Nx2 + 1 =
y2 (the so-called "Pell's equation") is of considerable importance.[12]

Trigonometry[edit]
The Siddhnta Shiromani (written in 1150) demonstrates Bhaskara's knowledge of trigonometry,
including the sine table and relationships between different trigonometric functions. He also
discovered spherical trigonometry, along with other interesting trigonometrical results. In
particular Bhaskara seemed more interested in trigonometry for its own sake than his
predecessors who saw it only as a tool for calculation. Among the many interesting results given
by Bhaskara, discoveries first found in his works include computation of sines of angles of 18 and
36 degrees, and the now well known formulae for

and

Calculus[edit]
His work, the Siddhnta Shiromani, is an astronomical treatise and contains many theories not
found in earlier works.[citation needed] Preliminary concepts ofinfinitesimal calculus and mathematical
analysis, along with a number of results in trigonometry, differential calculus and integral
calculus that are found in the work are of particular interest.
Evidence suggests Bhaskara was acquainted with some ideas of differential calculus.[17] It seems,
however, that he did not understand the utility of his researches, and thus historians of
mathematics generally neglect this achievement.[citation needed] Bhaskara also goes deeper into the
'differential calculus' and suggests the differential coefficient vanishes at an extremum value of
the function, indicating knowledge of the concept of 'infinitesimals'.[18]

There is evidence of an early form of Rolle's theorem in his work

If

He gave the result that if

then

for some

then

with
, thereby

finding the derivative of sine, although he never developed the notion of derivatives.[19]
Bhaskara uses this result to work out the position angle of the ecliptic, a quantity
required for accurately predicting the time of an eclipse.

In computing the instantaneous motion of a planet, the time interval between successive
positions of the planets was no greater than a truti, or a 133750 of a second, and his measure of
velocity was expressed in this infinitesimal unit of time.

He was aware that when a variable attains the maximum value, its differential vanishes.

He also showed that when a planet is at its farthest from the earth, or at its closest, the
equation of the centre (measure of how far a planet is from the position in which it is
predicted to be, by assuming it is to move uniformly) vanishes. He therefore concluded that
for some intermediate position the differential of the equation of the centre is equal to
zero.[citation needed] In this result, there are traces of the general mean value theorem, one of the
most important theorems in analysis, which today is usually derived from Rolle's theorem.
The mean value theorem was later found by Parameshvara in the 15th century in the Lilavati
Bhasya, a commentary on Bhaskara's Lilavati.

Madhava (13401425) and the Kerala School mathematicians (including Parameshvara) from
the 14th century to the 16th century expanded on Bhaskara's work and further advanced the
development of calculus in India.

Astronomy[edit]
Using an astronomical model developed by Brahmagupta in the 7th century, Bhaskara accurately
defined many astronomical quantities, including, for example, the length of the sidereal year, the
time that is required for the Earth to orbit the Sun, as 365.2588 days which is the same as in
Suryasiddhanta.[citation needed] The modern accepted measurement is 365.2563 days, a difference of
just 3.5 minutes.[citation needed]
His mathematical astronomy text Siddhanta Shiromani is written in two parts: the first part on
mathematical astronomy and the second part on the sphere.
The twelve chapters of the first part cover topics such as:

Mean longitudes of the planets.

True longitudes of the planets.

The three problems of diurnal rotation.

Syzygies.

Lunar eclipses.

Solar eclipses.

Latitudes of the planets.

Sunrise equation

The Moon's crescent.

Conjunctions of the planets with each other.

Conjunctions of the planets with the fixed stars.

The paths of the Sun and Moon.

The second part contains thirteen chapters on the sphere. It covers topics such as:

Praise of study of the sphere.

Nature of the sphere.

Cosmography and geography.

Planetary mean motion.

Eccentric epicyclic model of the planets.

The armillary sphere.

Spherical trigonometry.

Ellipse calculations.[citation needed]

First visibilities of the planets.

Calculating the lunar crescent.

Astronomical instruments.

The seasons.

Problems of astronomical calculations.

Engineering[edit]
The earliest reference to a perpetual motion machine date back to 1150, when Bhskara II
described a wheel that he claimed would run forever.[20]
Bhskara II used a measuring device known as Yasti-yantra. This device could vary from a
simple stick to V-shaped staffs designed specifically for determining angles with the help of a
calibrated scale.[21]

Legends[edit]
In his book Lilavati, he reasons: "In this quantity also which has zero as its divisor there is no
change even when many [quantities] have entered into it or come out [of it], just as at the time of
destruction and creation when throngs of creatures enter into and come out of [him, there is no
change in] the infinite and unchanging [Vishnu]".[22]