Algebra of Bhaskara II

For example, in y ∼ k, if y equals fifteen and k equals twenty, y ∼ k will be understood as equal to five.

The sign of Multiplication (×):

This × sign is called the multiplication sign. When this sign is between two numbers, it means that the right-hand number should be multiplied by the left-hand number.

For example, if y multiplied by k is to be written, it should be written as y × k.

If y equals fifteen and k equals seven, y × k will represent the number 105.

A special point here is that if both numbers are represented only by letters, then the multiplication sign can be omitted and multiplication is still understood. For example, y × k can also be written as "yk." If the multiplicand and multiplier are represented, one by a number and one by a letter, it can also be written in the previous manner. For example, 6 × y can be written as 6y.

If both the multiplicand and the multiplier are numerical, then one cannot proceed without the aforementioned multiplication sign. For example, six multiplied by five should be written as 6 × 5.

The sign of Division (÷):

This ÷ sign is called the division sign. When this sign is between two numbers, it means that the left-hand number is to be divided by the right-hand number. For example, if the number represented by y is to be divided by the number represented by k, it will be written as y ÷ k.

If y equals six and k equals three, then y ÷ k or 6 ÷ 3 will equal two.

If one has to divide the number represented by y, and then divide the resulting quotient by n, it should be written as y ÷ k ÷ n.

One should always keep in mind here that if a quantity contains numbers represented by both multiplication and division, the operation proceeds from left to right. For example, y × k ÷ n means that the number represented by y is to be multiplied by the number represented by k, and the product is to be divided by the number represented by n.

Similarly, if the number represented by y is divided by the number represented by k, and the quotient is to be multiplied by the number represented by n, it should be written as y ÷ k × n. Sometimes, for convenience, y ÷ k is also written as y/k.