An example of the secant method of iterative approximation in a fifteenth-century Sanskrit text (Q1815804): Difference between revisions

The author throws light on a mathematical and historical interpretation of a one-point iterative technique for calculating the sine of a given angle, as well as a modification of this technique that involves a two-point algorithm which is essentially identical to the modern secant method as found in Siddhāntadīpika of Parameśvara a super commentary of Govindasvāmin's commentary on Bhāskara-I's Mahābhaskarīya. For this purpose the author divides his article into seven sections viz, (1) Introduction, (2) Text, (3) Translation, (4) A method of successive approximations, (5) A rule for the initial approximation, (6) The secant method, (7) Discussion of attribution. Each section is well written and well informative. The article may help those who are going to work on medieval Indian trigonometry.