A study in Mathematical Heritage Monthly has identified advanced computational logic for inverse trigonometric functions within a newly cataloged 11th-century Sanskrit manuscript from the Vidarbha region. The text, attributed to a local school of 'Siddhantic' scholars, describes an algorithmic approach to calculating the arc-sine and arc-tangent of values using infinite series expansions.
The researchers found that these algorithms predate the Madhava school of Kerala by nearly three centuries, suggesting that the development of pre-calculus mathematics was more geographically widespread in medieval India than previously thought. The paper demonstrates how these mathematical tools were applied to solve complex spherical triangles for planetary navigation and temple architecture, showcasing a sophisticated grasp of non-linear geometry.