Chinese mathematics was defined by Chinese in ancient times as the "art of calculation" (suan chu). This art was both a practical and spiritual one, and covered a wide range of subjects from religion and astronomy to water control and administration. The oldest existing Chinese texts containing formal mathematical theories were produced during the Han period. The Arithmetic Classic of the Gnomon and the Circular Paths of Heaven (Chou Pei Suan Ching) is dated before the 3rd century B.C and contains various modern mathematical principles such as working with fractions using a common denominator, and proofs of many geometrical theories. The text contains an accurate process of division for finding out the square root of numbers. When Buddhism entered Japan, from China, around the eighth century, historians infer that Chinese texts on arithmetic, algebra and geometry were taken as the basis for the further development of Japanese mathematics. The earliest of these texts is thought to be the Chou-pei Suan-ching, which contains an example and proof of the Pythagorean theorem. Instead of taking root however, this learning was largely ignored in Japan as the country entered a dark age. It is not until the start of the seventeenth century that definite historical records exist of Japanese mathematicians. The first of these is Kambei Mori who was instrumental in developing arithmetical calculations on the soroban (Japanese abacus). However the most influential of all Japanese mathematicians emerged some years later during the genroku period. Kowa Seki (1642 - 1718) was, by popular accounts, Japan's Newton or Leibnitz

This book is made up of two parts, the first devoted to general, historical and cultural background, and the second to the development of each subdiscipline that together comprise Chinese mathematics. The book is uniquely accessible, both as a topical reference work, and also as an overview that can be read and reread at many levels of sophistication by both sinologists and mathematicians alike.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ The Development Of Mathematics In China And Japan; Volume 30 Of Abhandlungen Zur Geschichte Der Mathematischen Wissenschaften Mit Einschluss Ihrer Anwendungen; Volume 147 Of Chelsea Scientific Books 2 Yoshio Mikami B. G. Teubner, 1913 Mathematics; General; Mathematics / General; Mathematics / History & Philosophy; Mathematics, Chinese; Mathematics, Japanese