India · c. 870-c. 930
Sridhara
Sridhara was mathematician and author. He wrote practical arithmetic manuals and is associated with an early form of the quadratic formula.
Biographical and historical reference works document Sridhara’s role and the mathematical work summarized on this page.
3-5, 6-8, 9-12, College
The person and the work
Biography
Sridhara was mathematician and author associated with India. He wrote practical arithmetic manuals and is associated with an early form of the quadratic formula.
His books treated interest, mixtures, measurement, series, and equation solving for working calculators. Together, these contributions connect arithmetic, fractions, ratios, and percentages, and algebra and functions to the working problems, tools, and questions of the period.
Mathematical contribution
What this hero added or preserved
Core mathematical work
He wrote practical arithmetic manuals and is associated with an early form of the quadratic formula.
Method, teaching, or application
His books treated interest, mixtures, measurement, series, and equation solving for working calculators.
Why this matters
The larger lesson
Sridhara shows that mathematics grows through proof, calculation, observation, design, teaching, or careful records. The lasting lesson is that arithmetic, fractions, ratios, and percentages, and algebra and functions can turn a difficult question into a method another person can inspect and reuse.
Place the work in time
Timeline
- c. 870
Life and working period
Sridhara worked as mathematician and author in India.
- Legacy
Lasting mathematical connection
His books treated interest, mixtures, measurement, series, and equation solving for working calculators.
Key idea
An algorithm is a dependable sequence
Sridhara’s work illustrates how a clear sequence of operations turns a difficult task into repeatable calculation.
Following multiplication before addition gives 16 × 10 + 15 = 175.
Try it yourself
Follow the operation order
Calculate 16 × 10 + 15.
- Multiply first.
- Add the remaining value.
- Check by estimating the size of the result.
Show the answer
16 × 10 = 160, and 160 + 15 = 175.
Math at work
Merchants and business owners use the same habits
Merchants and business owners use arithmetic to plan, compare, test, or communicate decisions. Sridhara’s work provides a historical example of that connection.
Keep curiosity alive
A little-known fact
His books treated interest, mixtures, measurement, series, and equation solving for working calculators.
Sridhara matters because of only one famous formula or anecdote.
The documented record is broader: He wrote practical arithmetic manuals and is associated with an early form of the quadratic formula.
Keep exploring
Connected learning paths
Practice these ideas
- AdditionPractice adding whole numbers, integers, and decimals.
- SubtractionPractice subtracting whole numbers, including results below zero.
- MultiplicationBuild multiplication fluency with basic facts and larger values.
- DivisionSolve division problems with whole-number and decimal answers.
- Fractions & DecimalsWork with fractions, decimals, percentages, and conversions.