aalok thakkar: qrmt

summer 2025: fc-0306

A page from a manuscript of Lilavati (1650 edition).

Course Outline and Lectures:


The following is a tentative outline for the classes, lectures, and required reading for the course.


Date Module Lecture Description Reading
Jul 7 1 1 Introduction, Logistics, and Overview Articles I and II
Jul 8 2 Mathematics in the Ancient World Article III
Jul 9 3 Mathematics in the Vedic Age Article IV and V
Jul 10 4 More Geometric Constructions
VI
Jul 14 5 What is Vedic about Vedic Mathematics? Article VII
Jul 15 2 6 Is NASA Programming in Sanskrit? Article VIII and IX, Tool I
Jul 16 7 The Chhandashastra of Pingala Article X
Jul 17 8 The Principle of Mathematical Induction
Jul 21 3 9 The Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata
Jul 22 10 The Brahmasphutasiddhanta of Brahmagupta
Jul 23 11 The Leelavati and Bijaganita of Bhaskaracharya
Jul 24 4 12 The Kuttaka Algorithm Article XI
Jul 28 13 The Bhavana Method Article XII, XIII, and XIV.
Jul 29 14 The Kerala School of Mathematics
Jul 30 15 Development of Calculus in India
Jul 31 - - Midterm Exam
Aug 4 5 16 Proofs in Indian Mathematics
Aug 5 17 Prime Numbers
Aug 6 18 The Works of Srinivasa Ramanujan
Aug 7 19 Invited Talks
Aug 11 6 20 AKS Primality Testing
Aug 12 21 Final Paper Presentations
Aug 13 22 Final Paper Presentations
Aug 14 - - Fire Altar Construction