Bhaskara II: Pioneering Contributions and Notable Inconsistencies
Introduction
Bhaskara II, also known as Bhaskaracharya, was a prominent 12th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer whose work has significantly influenced the development of mathematics and astronomy. His seminal treatises, the Lilavati and the Bijaganita, encompass a wide array of mathematical concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. While Bhaskara II's contributions were groundbreaking, certain aspects of his work exhibit inconsistencies and misconceptions that merit examination.Medium
Division by Zero: A Conceptual Misstep
Bhaskara II made significant strides in understanding mathematical operations involving zero. He correctly identified that dividing a number by zero results in infinity, a concept that was ahead of his time. However, he also asserted that zero divided by zero equals zero, which contradicts modern mathematical principles where division by zero is undefined.
Perpetual Motion Machine: A Misconception
Bhaskara II conceptualized a perpetual motion machine known as Bhaskara's wheel. This design featured a wheel with curved or tilted spokes partially filled with mercury, intended to maintain continuous motion as the mercury shifted within the spokes. While innovative, this concept reflects a misunderstanding of physical laws, as perpetual motion machines violate the principles of thermodynamics and are considered impossible. Stanford, Wikipedia
Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem: The "Behold!" Legend
A popular legend attributes to Bhaskara II a succinct proof of the Pythagorean theorem. According to the tale, he presented a diagram demonstrating the theorem and simply exclaimed, "Behold!" before leaving without further explanation. While this narrative underscores the elegance of his proof, its historical accuracy is uncertain, and it may be apocryphal. GeoGebra
Conclusion
Bhaskara II's contributions have left an indelible mark on mathematics and astronomy. His work laid the foundation for many modern concepts, despite certain inaccuracies and misconceptions. Examining these inconsistencies offers valuable insights into the evolution of scientific thought and underscores the importance of continual inquiry and refinement in the pursuit of knowledge.
