Aryabhata (आर्यभट) (476 – 550 CE) was a great Indian mathematician and astronomer who is regarded as a towering figure in both these fields. Several of his calculations have shown remarkable accuracy for the era, while remaining the best available methods for many centuries. He is also referred to as Aryabhata I, since several later mathematicians – scientists of the same name also produced many notable works. His birthplace is not certain yet its believed that he was born in south India. It is also generally accepted that he studied at an advanced level in Kusumapura in modern-day Patna, where he stayed for some years.
A contemporary poem indicates Aryabhata being the manager of a scientific institution; the precise nature of the institution is not given, but there are grounds for believe that it may have been linked to the astronomical observatory maintained by the University of Nalanda. He is believed to have begun the line of great Indian astronomer-mathematicians that flourished during the country’s classical period.
His Works –
- Value of Pi (∏) as 3.1416, very close to the approximations still used today. It is possible that Aryabhata may also have discovered that number’s irrationality.
- He was able to calculate that the Earth had a circumference of 24,835 miles.
- His work the Aryabhatiya also contains solid work regarding the solar system. It states correctly that the light cast by planets and the moon is caused by sunlight reflecting off their surfaces, and that all planets follow elliptical orbits.
- Aryabhata was also able to describe accurately the processes that lead to both solar and lunar eclipses.
- He was the first known person to have solved Diophantine equation.
- Major contribution to Trigonometry and Algebra.
- Calculated the areas of a triangle and circle.
- Conceptualize Zero (0) and explained that.
- He calculated the length of the day and a year
- He explained the rotation of the Earth at its axis
