Geschichte der Mathematik im Altertum und Mittelalter (Leipzig, 1874), p. 195.
[1737]. It is remarkable to what extent Indian mathematics enters into the science of our time. Both the form and the spirit of the arithmetic and algebra of modern times are essentially Indian and not Grecian.—Cajori, F.
History of Mathematics (New York, 1897), p. 100.
[1738]. There are many questions in this science [algebra] which learned men have to this time in vain attempted to solve; and they have stated some of these questions in their writings, to prove that this science contains difficulties, to silence those who pretend they find nothing in it above their ability, to warn mathematicians against undertaking to answer every question that may be proposed, and to excite men of genius to attempt their solution. Of these I have selected seven.
1. To divide 10 into two parts, such, that when each part is added to its square-root and the sums multiplied together, the product is equal to the supposed number.
2. What square is that, which being increased or diminished by 10, the sum and remainder are both square numbers?
3. A person said he owed to Zaid 10 all but the square-root of what he owed to Amir, and that he owed Amir 5 all but the square-root of what he owed Zaid.
4. To divide a cube number into two cube numbers.
5. To divide 10 into two parts such, that if each is divided by the other, and the two quotients are added together, the sum is equal to one of the parts.
6. There are three square numbers in continued geometric proportion, such, that the sum of the three is a square number.