I.

Introduction

Turning a simple algebraic expression into an infinite series is considered to be a hallmark achievement in the history of mathematics. It has also been pointed out by the historians that this has played an important role in the advancement of science. Madhava was a prominent Indian mathematics-astronomer from India. He is considered the founder of Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics. He was the first to have developed infinite series approximations for a range of trigonometric functions. He pioneered the work on mathematical analysis and has presented a series in the following verse : Having the diameter multiplied by four and divided by unity, the results obtained by dividing the products of the diameter and four by odd numbers like three, five, etc., are subtracted and added in order.

, C is the circumference and D is the diameter.

Using this formula Madhava discovered the approximation of

II. Geometrical proof

Madhava demonstrated this formula using the geometrical proof. In this image Madhava had chosen a circle incircled in a square. The square is divided in 4 little squares by passing 2 perpendiculars segments through the center of the circle. One of the little squares has one of its side divided into n segments by the circle. represents the hypotenuses and arc bites. represents the , where r is the radius of

represent the perpendicular dropped form the tip of the previous hypotenuse to the next. represent the Rsine of the arc bites. The triangles (are similar). Results a ratio:

Also the triangles

(are similar). Therefore:

Replacing

from both ratios we obtain :

We know that We obtain

, that

and that ( )( )

When n becomes larger ( ) becomes smaller so the Rsines can be taken as the arc-bite itself so Therefore th of the circumference is ( )( )

Though the value of th of the circumference has been obtained as ( ) *( ) ( ) ( )+

The text observes that there may not be much difference in approximating it by either of the following expressions between the two choices: ( ) *( ) ( ) ( )+

( ) *( The actual difference between these two is ( ) *( )

) (

) )+ ( )

)+

because

We choose the second sum and try to have a common denominator to find the sum. Here is where Madhava had a brilliant idea of transforming each term in the form of an infinite series like this: ( ) ( ) ( )

In order to demonstrate this we will take 3 numbers called hara and c is called gunaka. This way we will have 2 cases I. We can rewrite the product like this ( )

and the product ( ) where a is called gunya, b is

which can be demonstrated by calculating it.

Instead of dividing by b we can divide by c and we obtain an inequality because

By using a method of transforming the inequality into a equality Madhava obtained

( After m iterations we will have ( ) (

This is a binomial expansion and can be reduced to [ Here, because II. We can rewrite the product like this ( ) calculus. Instead of dividing it by b we can divide it by c and because we obtain the following inequality: which can also be demonstrated by doing a simple we have ( )]

So the series necessarily converges.

[ (

) (

)]

By using a method of converting an inequality into an equality Madhava first obtained: ( After m iterations we will have ( ) ( ) ( ) ) * ( ) ( ) ( )+

This is a binomial expansion which can be reduce to : [ ( )]

But on this case we have another 2 cases : 1. When 2. When converge. Thus we have: or that or that . This will become the only and sufficient condition for convergence. . Since the criterion of convergence is not met with the series does not

) ( ) + )

] ( ) + ( ) ( ) +

( ) ( ) *( ) ( ) ( ) *( ) ( ) (

( ) ( ) *( )

If we factor out the powers of this ratio numbers like this : Kerala astronomers knew that

the summations involved are that of even powers of the natural and so on

Demonstration of the Kerala sum

[ Make the difference between these two sums and you will obtain :

So finally we arrive at the result: ( )

In order to understand better the Madhava series I propose you a problem which is more appropriate to what we do each day at Mathematics. This exercise was found in a book with exercises for the school leaving examination so is good for you too. Consider the following sequence a) Verify that b) Infer the following relation c) Demonstrate that d) Demonstrate that e) Calculate f) Demonstrate that [ ] , and . [ ] .

g) Calculate