Question

5
(
iv)
(B) GIU
(1)
(i
2. (A) Read the following passage and answer the
questions in your own words:
In Mathematics the ancient Indians made epoch
making discoveries, notably that of the zero sign, of
the decimal place-value system, of the use of the
minus sign, and the use in algebra of letters of the
alphabet to denote unknown quantities. It is difficult
to date these, as there was always a big time-lag
between the discovery and its practical application
But it is clear that the beginning of arithmetic,
algebra and geometry were laid in the earliest
period. Ten formed the basis of enumeration in India
even at the time of Rigveda. The time and number
sense of the ancient Indians were extraordinary
They had a long series of number names for very
high numerals. The Greeks, Romans, Persians and
Arabs had apparently technology for denominations above the thousand or at most the myriad (10⁴ = 10,000).
Questions :
​

Answer 1

The Ancient Indians' Mathematics

What were the discoveries made by ancient Indians in the field of mathematics?

• The ancient Indians made epoch making discoveries, notably that of the zero sign, of the decimal place-value system, of the use of the minus sign, and the use in algebra of letters of the alphabet to denote unknown quantities.

Why is it difficult to date this discoveries ?

• There was always a big time-lag between the discovery and its practical application.

Which number did form the basis of enumeration in ancient India?

• Ten formed the basis of enumeration in India

What is clearly known about beginning of arithmetic, algebra and geometry?

• It is clear that the beginning of arithmetic, algebra and geometry were laid in the earliest period. Ten formed the basis of enumeration in India. The Greeks, Romans, Persians and Arabs had apparently technology for denominations above the thousand or at most the myriad (10⁴ = 10,000)

Give a suitable title to the passage.

'The Ancient Indians' Mathematics' is the tiltle of it.