Mathematics particularly Arithmetic and Algebra were highly developed during this period. The so-called Arabic numerals and the adoption of “Zero” and the “Decimal” place-value system- all originated and fully developed in India.
The formulation of the theory of zero is to be credited to the thinkers of the Gupta age. “Zero” may defined as – 1-1=0 1+0 = 1 1-0=1 1×0 = 0
Sometimes, he is called the ‘inventor of Algebra’. He has touched practically all aspects of mathematics in his celebrated “Aryabhatiya” work such as square root and cube root, area of triangle and volume of pyramid, area of circle and volume of sphere, are of any plane figure, relation of circumference of circle to diameter, arithmetical progression, interest, rule of three, fractions, inverse method algebraic identities etc. Aryabhatta discovered the remarkable accurate value of “n” viz. 3.146.
“The Kuttaka or pulverizer consists in finding a multiplier such as that-if a given number is
multiplied by it and a given number added to or subtracted from the product, the sum or difference may be divisible, without remainder by a given divisor”.
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For example:- Suppose, if the given number-is 7. If it is to be multiplied by 7 i.e. 7 x7 = 49 (product) if the given number i.e. 7 is added to the product 49 (49+7=56), it comes to 56 or if the given number i.e. 7 is subtracted from the product 49, (49-7= 42) it comes to 42.
This sum i.e. 56 or 42 can be divided by the given number i.e. 7 without remainder attention of the people, Palakapya produced his celebrated work called “Hastyaayurveda” on the veterinary science. Another work on the diseases of animals was “Asvasastra”, which proves that veterinary science was not neglected at that time. Nervous system was known to them.
It is said that methods of distillation were discovered by Nagarjuna, the famous Buddhist scholar, who was also a great student of medicine, chemistry and metallurgy.
Probably, Dhanavantari, the most renowned physician of Ayurvedic medicines also flourished during this period. Surgery attained great heights in this age. Dr. A. L. Basham writes, bone-setting reached a high degree of skill, and plastic surgery was developed far beyond anything known elsewhere at that time.
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Ancient Indian surgeons were expert at the repair of noses, ears, and lips. In this respect, Indian surgery remained ahead of European until the eighteenth century, when the surgeons of the East Indian company were not ashamed to learn the art of rhino plastid from the Indians.”
‘Brahmagupta’ was also a famous astronomer and mathematician of the age anticipated Newton by declaring that, “all things fall to the earth by a law of nature, for it is the nature of the earth attract and keep things.” The Vaiseska school of physicists also propounded the “atomic theory”.
The great progress in chemistry is indicated by metallic preparations for the purpose of medicine and references to the use of mercury and iron by Varahamihira and others.