By Monica Kelly

Born c.598 and died c.665 Born in Bhillamala [modern Bhinmal], Rajasthan, India) He was orthodox Hindu One of the most significant mathematicians of ancient India Known mostly through his writings

Brahmagupta was an orthodox Hindu, and his religious views, particularly the Hindu yuga system of measuring the ages of mankind, influenced his work. He severely criticized Jain cosmological views and other heterodox ideas, such as the view of Aryabhata I (b. 476) that the Earth is a spinning sphere, a view that was widely disseminated by Brahmagupta contemporary and rival Bhaskara.

His Achievements He establishes the rule a-a=0, and also considers the fractions x/0, which he sets equal

to 0 for x=0 and otherwise calls nought, a term of uncertain meaning. He also calculated the circumference of Earth as the equivalent of 36,000

kilometers, which is remarkably close to modern calculations of 40,000 kilometers.

http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT725/Class/Brooks/Brahmagupta/Brahmagupta.html

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"Brahmagupta." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 29 Jun. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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