Ganita Sara Sangraha was written by the great Indian mathematician Mahavira in 850 CE and is considered the first known textbook on arithmetic.
Comprehensive Arithmetic Treatise: Covers almost all fundamental topics of arithmetic.
Systematic Arrangement: The structure closely resembles modern mathematics textbooks, except for the absence of decimal notation (which was developed later in India).
- Operations with Zero:
Though he did not define zero as a number, he stated that any number divided by zero remains unchanged, which was an early understanding of the concept.
- Rules for Operations on Fractions:
Detailed methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions.
- Concept of Permutations and Combinations:
First detailed discussion of combinations (Chandas) in Indian mathematics.
- Square Roots and Cube Roots:
Methods for extracting square and cube roots, similar to present-day approaches.
- Series and Progressions:
Arithmetic and geometric progressions, including formulas for sums of series.
- Mensuration (Geometry and Measurement):
Areas and volumes of various shapes.
Practical applications for traders, merchants, and architects.
It is one of the earliest systematic expositions of arithmetic.
Served as a foundation for later Indian and Islamic mathematicians.
Highlights India’s long tradition of mathematical excellence.
Mahavira’s Ganita Sara Sangraha remains a milestone in mathematical history, shaping the evolution of arithmetic education!
