George Rusby Kaye

“ The Indian method of stating examples—particularly those involving algebraic equations—are of sufficient interest to be recorded here. The early works were rhetorical and not symbolical at all and even in modern times the nearest approach to a symbolic algebra consists of abbreviations of special terms. The only real symbol employed is the negative sign of operation, which is usually a dot placed above or at the side of the quantity affected. ”

“ The use of two such diverse types as yāvat tāvat and kālaka (generally abbreviated to yā and kā) in one system suggests the possibility of a mixed origin. It is possible that the former is connected with Diophantus' definition of the unknown quantity, plēthos monádon aoriston, i.e., 'an undefined (or unlimited) number of units.' To pass from 'an unlimited number' to 'as many as' requires little imagination. ”