Bijganit Purvarddh

Author(s): Bapudev Shastri
Publisher: Medical Hall Press

Page 7

Now we cannot say that they burrowed from the Greeks, since the mathematical works of the Arabs are essentially different from those of Diophantus. Hence there cau be little doubt that they derived their Algebra, as well as Arithmetic, from the Hindús. This science was in course of time introduced by the Arabs into Europe, and thence spread into other quarters of the globe.
The first European treatise on Algebra was that of the Italian Lucas de Burgo A. D. 1478. The science was next cultivated in Germany, and Stifel introduced the symbols +,--, and in the year 1544. In 1557, Robert Records introduced the science into Eng. land. Spreading over the whole of Europe, it has now reachod a very high degrec at peraction.
There are a gran variety of problms admitting of 30 easy 50lution by the aid of European Algebra, which cannot be solved by the Hindú method. Mr. D. F. M'Leod (then Magistrate of Benares and afterwards Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab) therefore desired me to prepare a treatise on European Algebra in the Hindi Janguage. Although to write properly on such a subject requires a very intelligent person, seeing that Bhaskaráchárya declares the science to be nothing cise than “reason exortod,” yet, however incompetent for the task, being anxious to meet the wishes of this gentlenian, I ventured upon the undertaking. When the first part of this work was completed, it was lithographed at Bombay in the year 1850 by order of Government, N. W. P. The first purt is out of print and the second part is really for the press. As many people are now very anxious to get the whole work i. e, the first and second parts printed, Nr. Kempson the director of Public Instruction, N. W. P. has encouraged me to publish it.
The work is compiled from various European and Native anthors, and SLOKAS of BILASKARÁCHÁRYA are occasionally quoted.
The first part, which contains 5 chapters, has now been considerably improved and many examples have been added to it.