Shankaracharya, the great Indian philosopher and theologian, is not known to have established any particular branch of mathematics. His primary contributions were in the fields of philosophy, religion, and theology. He is best known for his work in Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the oneness of the individual soul with the Universal Soul (Brahman).
While Shankaracharya's focus was not mathematics, the ancient Indian civilization, during his time, had significant advancements in mathematics. This included:
- The decimal system: The concept of zero and the place-value system were already in use in India during Shankaracharya's time.
- Algebra: Indian mathematicians made significant contributions to algebra, including the development of quadratic equations and the use of negative numbers.
- Trigonometry: Indian mathematicians developed trigonometry, including the sine function and the concept of the unit circle.
- Geometry: Indian mathematicians made contributions to geometry, including the development of the Pythagorean theorem and the concept of the golden ratio.
It's important to remember that Shankaracharya's focus was not on mathematics. His work was primarily in the realm of philosophy and theology.
