Brahmagupta's derivation of the area of a cyclic quadrilateral (Q2654169)

The article is divided into five main sections. Section-I is under the heading Introduction. This section is subdivided into three subsections viz (i). Basic issues and difficulties (ii), Notation and outline of reconstruction, (iii) Organization of the paper. Section-II is under the heading -- ``The Cyclic quadrilateral before and after Brahmagupta''. This section is divided into three subsections viz. (i) Cyclic quadrilaterals in India before Brahmagupta which revives the background of the formula area \(=\sqrt(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)(s-d)\) when triquadrilaterals (tricaturbhija), has sides of lengths \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), and \(d\) and \(s= (a+b+c+d)/2\), (ii) Reception of Brahmagupta's results in data, (iii) Previous contribution to the understanding of X 11. 21. Section-III deals the collection of the mathematical tools that may be taken for granted in the reconstruction of Brahmagupta's derivation. Section-IV contains the analysis of the proportions XII 21--28. This is divided into seven separate sections viz 4.1 to 4.7. Each sub section is divided into four parts (i) text and Translation, (ii) gloss which clarifies technical terms and draws attention to the structure of the text. (iii) Comment which explicates what comes out if one carries out the indications of the text, (iv) temporary conclusions drawwn from the analysis of each verse. Section-V is under the heading ``Conclusion'' which summarities the results. The author has established that Brahmagupta's text describes the conditions of applicability of his area formula together with the elements needed for its derivation, using a precise and consistent terminology.