ESHS/HSS Annual Meeting

Lu Jiuci’s Mathematical Thoughts: “There is Nothing in the World That Does Not Need Mathematics”(天下之物, 無不用數)

• In Event: Recent Archaeological Excavations: New Light on Ancient Chinese Mathematics 3

English Abstract

The mathematical writings written on wood slips in the Qin Dynasty (221-207CE), and preserved in Peking University include three types of Suanshu, namely mathematical writings Suanshu, Parts A, B and C. The first section of Suanshu Part A is a discussion of mathematics between the mathematician Lu Jiuci and a student Chen Qi. Lu elaborates his argument on the importance of mathematics and his core point of view is summarized in his language as “Nothing in the world does not need mathematics.” This presentation will first analyze Lu’s mathematical views and then compare them with the mathematical views of Shang Gao in the Zhoubi Suanjing, with Confucian scholars, and with the preface to the Sunzi suanjing, explaining ancient Chinese understandings of the value and significance of mathematics. Finally, by comparing them with Matto Ricci’s remarks in the preface to his Chinese translation of Euclid’s Elements, the similarities and differences between the East and the West in the extensive applications of mathematics will be discussed.

Author

• Shirong GUO, Institute for the History of Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, PRC