Aryabhata I was the first of the major Mathematician-Astronomers from the classical age of Indian Mathematics and Indian Astronomy

Aryabhata or Aryabhatta was one of the greatest Mathematicians of India. He was an astrologer and mathematician too. He was the first of the significant mathematician of India who has made great contributions in the field of mathematics and astronomy, which are being used throughout the globe in today’s generation. His works have inspired many people.

He is also known as the father of the Indian cyclic astronomy because of his planetary theory that tells the right positions and distances of the planets. English Mathematicians, too learnt many things from the learnings of Aryabhata.

Who is Aryabhata?

An Indian Mathematician whose name can’t be erased from the mathematics book for ever.

Aryabhata was not only a great astronomer but also a great Indian mathematician. He was also a physics as he had sound knowledge of the concepts of the relativity of motion.

Birth of Aryabhatta

Patna – 476 CE

It is said that he was born in 476 AD during the Gupta Dynasty Period in Kusumapura near Patliputra, currently known as Patna, which is situated in Bihar. Many Historians and Researchers say that he was born somewhere in South India, Like in Andhra Pradesh or Kerala. But no one is sure about his birthplace.

Aryabhata’s Education:

University of Nalanda

From a very young age, he spent his time with Hindus and Buddhists and learnt many things from them. For his advanced studies he went to Kusumapura Aryabhata studied at the ancient University of Nalanda. He used to study and do his research in the field of Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy.

Death of Aryabhata:

550 CE

In 550 CE, At the age of 74, Aryabhatta died. The reason behind death is still unknown.

Aryabhata’s Books:

Aryabhatta has made a significant contribution to the field of Mathematics. He has written many books. But most of his works are lost. Out of all his books, two of his famous books which are still preserved are:

1. Aryabhata – Siddhanta
2. Aryabhatiya

Aryabhatiya:

Aryabhatta had written ‘Aryabhatiya’ written in 499 AD when he was 24 years old. This book covers mathematical theories. It includes topics like arithmetic, tables of sines, trigonometry, algebra, and fractions. ‘Aryabhatiya’ was translated into different languages like Latin, Franch, German, and Greeks and Arabs adopted this book.

Aryabhata – Siddhanta:

The ‘Aryabhata – Siddhanta’, is the book based on the astronomical computations done by the Aryabhatta. This book contains information about the research he has done on stars, solar systems, planets, and the universe.

Contributions of Aryabhatta in Mathematics:

Few of the Aryabhata’s Contribution in Mathematics:

1. He introduced the alphabetical counting system.
2. He was the first to do calculations on the square and cubic roots.
3. He gave the solutions to equations by = a x + c and by = ax – c
4. He was the first to provide the approximate value of π.
5. He was the one who said that π is an irrational number.
6. He formulated the tables of sines.
7. He was the first to sum the first n integers.
8. He also figured out the values of the squares and cubes of integers.
9. He gave the formula for the areas of a triangle and of a circle. 
10. He gave the formula for the volume of the sphere and volume of the pyramid. 

Contributions of Aryabhatta in Astronomy:

Aryabhata’s Contribution in the field of Astronomy:

1. He determined the positions of the planets in space.
2. He found out the circumference & diameter of the earth.
3. He found out about the earth’s axial rotation.
4. He calculated the radius of the planetary orbits
5. He estimated the periods of rotation around the sun
6. He found out that the moon shines because of the reflection of the Sun.
7.  He found out the causes of eclipses of the Sun and the Moon.
8.  He was first to tell the length of the year at 365 days 6 hours 12 minutes 30 Seconds.

Interesting facts about Aryabhata:

Few of the Interesting facts about Aryabhatta:

1. The Hindu Calendar is based on Aryabhata’s calculations.
2. The Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences is set up for research in astrophysics and astronomy has been named after him.
3. Many Mathematician Researchers say that his birthplace is not confirmed. Some consider him North Indian, and some believe him as South Indian.
4. There is a confusion in his name. Some call him Aryabhata, and some call him Aryabhatta.
5. There is a conflict with Aryabhata -1 and Aryabhatta-2 works.
6. Aryabhatta has set up an observatory at the Sun temple in Taregana.
7. He served as the head of Nalanda University.

Awards and Rewards under the name of Aryabhatta:

This is how people valued Aryabhata:

1. Aryabhata award or Aryabhatta award is awarded to individuals with notable lifetime contributions in mathematics and astronomy.
2. A lunar impact crater named after Aryabhata.
3. India’s first satellite was named under Aryabhata.
4. Aryabhatta National Maths Competition, also known as Aryabhatta Exam, is conducted in many schools and colleges for 5th to 11th class students to find the hidden mathematical talents in the students.
5. There is a college named Aryabhatta College which is located in Delhi.

Quotes By Aryabhata:

Few of the quotes taken from Aryabhatta’s books:

caturadhikam śatamaṣṭaguṇam dvāṣaṣṭistathā sahasrāṇām
ayutadvayaviṣkambhasyāsanno vṛttapariṇāhaḥ

tribhujasya phalashariram samadalakoti bhujardhasamvargah

Other Mathematicians Talking about Aryabhata:

Great Mathematicians like Bhaskara 1 and P Jha has also spoken about him.

He is the master who, after reaching the furthest shores and plumbing the inmost depths of the sea of ultimate knowledge of mathematics, kinematics and spherics, handed over the three sciences to the learned world.

His value of π is a very close approximation to the modern importance and the most accurate among those of the ancients.

Other Mathematicians Talking about Aryabhata:

Aryabhatta was from India, The Land of Origin of Vedic Math. Mathematicians likes Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha Maharaja, Brahmagupta, Shakuntala Devi , Srinivas Ramanujan also did amazing work in mathematics.

FAQ about Aryabhata:

Does Aryabhata belong to the Vedic Period?

Yes, Aryabhatta was from the Vedic Period. He was from 400 AD.

Has Aryabhata contributed towards Vedic Maths?

Yes, Aryabhatta has made a significant contribution in the field of Vedic Maths. Most of his mathematical techniques are nowadays used in Vedic Maths.

What are some of the formulas introduced by Aryabhatta?

Aryabhata gives the formula for the areas of a triangle, rhombus, circle, square, rectangle, etc. He also gave the method for interest, time, etc.

Why was India’s first satellite named under Aryabhata?

Indra Gandhi, The then prime minister of India, with the council of IAS officers, has decided to name India’s first satellite under the name of Aryabhatta as he was the first person to do much research on space and planets from India.

Reference

For More Details about the mathematician whose name was been nominated for Satellite, Read the Official Harvard Universities Article.