Mathematical Treasure: Ramchundra's Maxima and Minima

Ramchundra (1821-1880) was an Indian mathematics master and teacher in British colonial India. In 1850, he published A Treatise on Problems of Maxima and Minima Solved by Algebra on obtaining maximum and minimum values of a function without calculus. It attracted the attention of local British authorities in Calcutta (now Kolkata), who sent a copy to the eminent mathematician Augustus De Morgan. De Morgan was so impressed that he had the work republished in London under the same title in 1859.                                               

De Morgan included a lengthy Preface in which he explained the background of this work and commented on the need to encourage mathematical talent in British colonial possessions. The first two pages of this Preface are shown below.

Read the full Preface, also available via the biography of Ramchundra in the MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive.

The first page of Ramchundra’s text follows:

The images above are provided courtesy of Columbia University Libraries.

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