Brahmagupta

Pioneering Indian mathematician credited with formalizing the concept of zero.

Chronology: 598 – 670

Origins & Early Life

Brahmagupta (c. 598 – c. 668 CE) was an Indian mathematician and astronomer who is credited as the first person to understand and formalize the concept of the number zero for nothing in mathematics. He is the author of two early works on mathematics and astronomy: the Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta (BSS, "correctly established doctrine of Brahma", dated 628), a theoretical treatise, and the Khandakhadyaka ("edible bite", dated 665), a more practical text.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is also credited with the first clear description of the quadratic formula (the solution of the quadratic equation) in his main work, the Brāhma-sphuṭa-siddhānta. == Life and career == Brahmagupta, according to his own statement, was born in 598 CE. Born in Bhillamāla in Gurjaradesa (modern Bhinmal in Rajasthan, India) during the reign of the Chavda dynasty ruler Vyagrahamukha. He was the son of Jishnugupta and was a Hindu by religion, in particular, a Shaivite. He lived and worked there for a good part of his life.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Prithudaka Svamin, a later commentator, called him Bhillamalacharya, the teacher from Bhillamala. Bhillamala was the capital of the Gurjaradesa, the second-largest kingdom of Western India, comprising southern Rajasthan and...

Source: Wikipedia