Ch'in Chiu-Shao
Encyclopedia
Qin Jiushao courtesy name Daogu (道古), was a Chinese
mathematician
.
, and is now regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of the 13th century. This is particularly remarkable, as Qin did not devote his life to mathematics
. He was accomplished in many other fields, however, and held a series of bureaucratic positions in several Chinese provinces.
Qin’s reputation as a lies in the Shùshū Jiǔzhāng (“Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections
”), issued in 1247. The treatise covered matters that ranged from indeterminate analysis to military matters and surveying. In the treatise, Qin included a version of the Chinese remainder theorem
, which used algorithm
s to solve problems. In geometry, he discovered “Qin Jiushao's formula” in finding the area of a triangle with given length of three sides. This is the same as Heron’s formula, discovered earlier.
Qin recorded the earliest explanation of how Chinese calendar
experts calculated astronomical
data according to the timing of the winter solstice. Among his accomplishments are introducing techniques for solving (arbitrary order) algebraic equation
s (A numerical algorithm based on Horner's method), finding sums of arithmetic series, and solving linear system
s. He also introduced the use of the zero symbol
in Chinese mathematics
.
After he completed his work on mathematics, he went into politics. He was boastful, corrupt, accused of bribery and of poisoning his enemies, so several times he was relieved of his duties, and put in 'suspension'. Even so, he managed to become very wealthy. In contrast to many ancient mathematicians, he was reputedly not very wise and bored quickly with maths, which may be why he focused so little of his life on its study.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
.
Biography
He was born in Ziyang, Sichuan, his ancestry was from ShandongShandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
, and is now regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of the 13th century. This is particularly remarkable, as Qin did not devote his life to mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
. He was accomplished in many other fields, however, and held a series of bureaucratic positions in several Chinese provinces.
Qin’s reputation as a lies in the Shùshū Jiǔzhāng (“Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections
Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections
The Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections is a mathematical text written by Chinese Southern Song dynasty mathematician Qin Jiushao in the year 1247.This book contains nine chapters:#Da Yan type ;#Heaven phenomena...
”), issued in 1247. The treatise covered matters that ranged from indeterminate analysis to military matters and surveying. In the treatise, Qin included a version of the Chinese remainder theorem
Chinese remainder theorem
The Chinese remainder theorem is a result about congruences in number theory and its generalizations in abstract algebra.In its most basic form it concerned with determining n, given the remainders generated by division of n by several numbers...
, which used algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
s to solve problems. In geometry, he discovered “Qin Jiushao's formula” in finding the area of a triangle with given length of three sides. This is the same as Heron’s formula, discovered earlier.
Qin recorded the earliest explanation of how Chinese calendar
Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well...
experts calculated astronomical
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
data according to the timing of the winter solstice. Among his accomplishments are introducing techniques for solving (arbitrary order) algebraic equation
Equation
An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions. In modern notation, this is written by placing the expressions on either side of an equals sign , for examplex + 3 = 5\,asserts that x+3 is equal to 5...
s (A numerical algorithm based on Horner's method), finding sums of arithmetic series, and solving linear system
Linear system
A linear system is a mathematical model of a system based on the use of a linear operator.Linear systems typically exhibit features and properties that are much simpler than the general, nonlinear case....
s. He also introduced the use of the zero symbol
0 (number)
0 is both a numberand the numerical digit used to represent that number in numerals.It fulfills a central role in mathematics as the additive identity of the integers, real numbers, and many other algebraic structures. As a digit, 0 is used as a placeholder in place value systems...
in Chinese mathematics
Chinese mathematics
Mathematics in China emerged independently by the 11th century BC. The Chinese independently developed very large and negative numbers, decimals, a place value decimal system, a binary system, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry....
.
After he completed his work on mathematics, he went into politics. He was boastful, corrupt, accused of bribery and of poisoning his enemies, so several times he was relieved of his duties, and put in 'suspension'. Even so, he managed to become very wealthy. In contrast to many ancient mathematicians, he was reputedly not very wise and bored quickly with maths, which may be why he focused so little of his life on its study.