Bijaganita

work by Bhaskara II

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June 22, 2026

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The Bijaganita is a significant work on algebra by the 12th-century Indian mathematician Bhaskara II. It is considered one of the most important Indian mathematical treatises on arithmetic and algebra.12

The Bijaganita is known for its systematic use of the decimal number system and for compiling problems from earlier mathematicians like Brahmagupta. Bhaskara II used letters to represent unknown quantities, similar to modern algebra, and solved indeterminate equations of the first and second degrees. He also investigated regular polygons and explored concepts related to division by zero, suggesting it results in an infinite quantity. The work is often considered part of his larger astronomical magnum opus, Siddhanta-siromani.123

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Bhāskara II
…particularly Līlāvatī (“The Beautiful”) and Bījagaṇita (“Seed Counting”), he not only used the decimal system but also compiled problems from Brahmagupta and others. He filled many of the gaps in Brahmagupta’s work, especially in obtaining a general solution to the Pell equation (x² = 1 + py²) and in giving…
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…particularly Līlāvatī (“The Beautiful”) and Bījagaṇita (“Seed Counting”), he not only used the decimal system but also compiled problems from Brahmagupta and others. He filled many of the gaps in Brahmagupta’s work, especially in obtaining a general solution to the Pell equation (x² = 1 + py²) and in giving…
Read More

Indian mathematics
Mahavira and Bhaskara II
…Beautiful”) and the more advanced Bijaganita, by Bhaskara II, followed the conventional definition of the eight operations. Bhaskara asserted, however, that the “Rule of Three” (of proportionality) is the truly fundamental concept underlying both arithmetic and algebra:
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…Beautiful”) and the more advanced Bijaganita, by Bhaskara II, followed the conventional definition of the eight operations. Bhaskara asserted, however, that the “Rule of Three” (of proportionality) is the truly fundamental concept underlying both arithmetic and algebra:
Read More