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The Dawn of Eastern Civilization: Neolithic Chinese Mathematical Culture
Thu, July 16, 4:15 to 5:45pm, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Floor: Level 1, Platform 5English Abstract
As an ancient civilization, China developed a splendid mathematical culture as early as the Neolithic Age (6,000 years ago), mainly manifested in two aspects: the invention of numerical notations and the creation of geometric figures. In terms of numerical notations, their invention not only fostered the germination and development of mathematics but also laid the foundation for Chinese characters. Additionally, the method of superimposing dots in the sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4... gave birth to "Chinese triangular numbers," setting the tone for later concepts such as Yin-Yang complementarity and "the sum of heavenly and earthly numbers" in the Hetu Luoshu (River Diagram and Luo Chart), as well as Jia Xian-Yang Hui Triangle. It also fully demonstrated the aesthetic thought of symmetry. In geometric figure creation, based on the circle, ancient Chinese craftsmen ingeniously constructed regular triangles, squares, and pentagons inscribed in a circle, further developing pentagram patterns and artworks.