Bhaskara I's sine approximation
Aproximación racional del seno de Bhaskara I
- Date
- c. 629 · confidence medium
- Place
- Valabhi, Saurashtra, Gujarat, India
- Credited to
- Bhaskara I
- People
- 👤 Bhaskara I600–680
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
What was discovered
Simple algebraic formula, sin x ≈ 16x(π − x) / (5π² − 4x(π − x)), that gives the sine with an error below 0.2% without needing tables. It shows the degree of refinement of Indian trigonometric calculation.
It appears in the Mahabhaskariya; Bhaskara I's exact place of work is uncertain (Valabhi or Ashmaka).
What it led to
- fast astronomical calculation without tables
- tradition of rational approximations in India