Hello again,
I am writing to you for the last time. It has been a while since I have last wrote and have lots to tell. I have recently just finished the final chapter of the Brahmasphutasiddhanta. It has been my best work yet and can’t wait to see how it will impact Ujjain and other Mathematicians and astronomers within the area. As I have previously shared with you in one of my earlier posts I have come to an estimate of how long a solar year. I believe the length of a solar year is around 365 days, 5 minutes, and 19 seconds. I hope it is someone of an accurate estimate so I can make my mark in Astronomical history. before I go on further about the discoveries I have made over the course of my life I think that it is appropriate to address what influenced me in my work. Given that I am an orthodox Hindu, the Hindu yuga system has had a tremendous impact on my work because I was first interested in making estimations for planet rotations and solar years by first starting out using the Hindu yuga system of measuring the ages of mankind. I am so thankful for the Ujjain observatory for it has given me some many resources I have needed to complete my work and without it I wouldn’t have discovered many of my findings. I decided to devote the last couple of chapters to the instruments and units of measure that I used throughout my work in hope that further mathematicians and astronomers will be able to use them to try to further my work because I know there is still plenty of uncovered mysteries out there and will unfortunately not be able to discover them all. I have reached an age where I need to start enjoying life as it is and not always be so invested in my work. As I get old I fear that my life will soon come to an end so it is hard for me to balance both my work and social life due to wanting to discover as much as I can in the fields of mathematics and astronomy. Throughout writing my book I have shared a couple of theories with my fellow mathematicians specifically the number zero and they have given me a new nickname of “The Father of Zero”. I kind of like this new nickname of mine because it makes me feel that I will make a mark in history because it is such a big finding. I hope that I will be able to write to you again soon and tell you the news on how my findings have influenced society. I don’t know if I will discover much more in my life but I feel content with what I have already done because I have achieved a lot more than I anticipated.
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| A draft of one of my concepts that has been sitting on my desk for quite a while |
Dear Brahmagupta,
ReplyDeleteI commend you on finally finishing your writing. I know that it means a lot to you and that you have been working extremely hard on it. I also think that it is astounding that you are able to let go of your work so easily. This is a trait that I was not so lucky to be blessed with. There are constantly numbers and shapes floating around my head that I can't seem to do anything with. I hope that you are truly able to enjoy life as it is instead of being obsessed with math. Your work on zeros will exist throughout the future I am sure. Who or what told you that it was time to stop your studies on math? I would love to know.
Best of luck in the future and with life,
Archimedes
Dear Brahmagupta,
ReplyDeleteYour nickname, the “Father of Zero”, is well deserved; your findings have changed the course of mathematics in a way that allows it to grow even further for centuries to come. You have worked tirelessly on your book, and I agree with you in that it is important to also relax and enjoy your social life. I say with regret that this is something I have never experienced personally. I am interested to know how your book has been received in your community. Do you think your idea will cause controversy and debate, or be widely accepted?
With respect,
Sophie Germain