The oldest mathematical text from China is the Jiuzhang Suanshu, also known as The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, which dates back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD).
A more detailed response to your inquiry
The oldest mathematical text from China is the Jiuzhang Suanshu, also known as The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. This ancient book is said to date back to the Han Dynasty, which lasted from 202 BC to 220 AD. The book is a collection of works on mathematics and science that were requested by Emperor Wu of Han in order to better govern his empire.
The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art is significant because it contains many mathematical algorithms that are still in use today. In fact, it is considered one of the most important mathematical texts in Chinese history. According to one source, “The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art… is the most important mathematics text in Chinese history. It describes theories of mathematics, astronomy, surveying, and engineering that have been in use for centuries.”
One of the interesting facts about The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art is that it contains methods for solving complex equations that are similar to those used in modern-day algebra. Another interesting fact is that the text also contains solutions to real-world problems like calculating the volume of grain and the distance between two locations. Additionally, the book contains a section on magic squares, which were used as talismans to ward off evil spirits.
In conclusion, The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art is an important ancient Chinese text that contains many mathematical algorithms still in use today. Its significance is well-recognized, as evidenced by the following quote written on Ancient.eu: “This 2,000-year-old collection of texts remains highly valued — both for its mathematical content and for its insights into ancient Chinese life and thought — by mathematicians, historians, and archaeologists alike.”
Finally, here is a table showing the contents of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art:
| Chapter | Content |
|---|---|
| Basic | Arithmetic |
| Evaluating Rectangles | Area and perimeter calculations |
| Chords | Circle geometry and trigonometry |
| Cavalry | Scaling and proportion |
| Difficult Questions | Word problems |
| Employment of Areas | Geometry and proportion |
| Rectangular Arrays | Geometric progressions and algebra |
| Similar Sections | Simultaneous linear equations |
| Settlements and Land Surveys | Volume and capacity calculations |
Video response to “What is the oldest mathematical text from China?”
“The Chinese Myth of the Immortal White Snake” is a story about Bai Su Zhen, an immortal white snake married to human Xu Xian. After being exposed as a demon by a monk, Xu Xian gives her realgar wine, which turns her into a snake. He accidentally dies from shock trying to cure her, so Bai Su Zhen sets out to revive him. She steals a magical herb from the Old Man of the South Pole and uses it, along with her powers and love, to revive Xu Xian.
There are other points of view available on the Internet
The oldest complete surviving text is the Zhoubi suanjing Ⓣ which was compiled between 100 BC and 100 AD (see the article on The Ten Classics).
The oldest suspected mathematical text is the Zhou Bi Suan Jing (The Mathematical Classic of the Zhou Gnomon and the Circular Paths of Heaven). It was probably compiled between 500–200 BCE (States et al., 2016).
You will probably be interested in these topics as well
What is the oldest extant mathematical text of China?
In reply to that: One of the oldest surviving mathematical works is the I Ching, which greatly influenced written literature during the Zhou Dynasty (1050–256 BC).
Similar
What is the oldest math text?
The earliest mathematical texts available are from Mesopotamia and Egypt – Plimpton 322 (Babylonian c. 2000 – 1900 BC), the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus (Egyptian c. 1800 BC) and the Moscow Mathematical Papyrus (Egyptian c. 1890 BC).
In respect to this, What is the old Chinese way of math? The Chinese Method, or stick method, of multiplication involves properly placing and crossing sticks. You simply lay out sticks consistent with the place values of the digits being multiplied. Then, you count the places where the sticks cross.
Considering this, Who was the first Chinese mathematicians? Response will be: The beginnings of Chinese algebra is seen in the work of Wang Xiaotong (about 580 – about 640). He wrote the Jigu suanjing Ⓣ (Continuation of Ancient Mathematics) , a text with only 20 problems which later became one of the Ten Classics. He solved cubic equations by extending an algorithm for finding cube roots.
What is the most important math textbook in China?
The response is: ( Source: Mathematical Treasure: The Chinese Nine Chapters in Japan, MAA Convergence) Of the works considered China’s Ten Mathematical Classics, the Nine Chapters is the oldest and the most influential. Like Euclid’s Elements in the West, it was used as a basic textbook for mathematics from ancient times all the way to 1600 CE and even later.
Was mathematics a pattern in ancient China?
Answer will be: This certainly seems to have been the pattern in ancient China. Many of the first works in Chinese mathematics, including the first book, Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, and followed by The Ten Classics of Mathematics, concentrate on methods for solving practical problems in mathematics.
Secondly, Where is the oldest mathematical object? The reply will be: "The Oldest Mathematical Object is in Swaziland". Mathematicians of the African Diaspora. SUNY Buffalo mathematics department. Retrieved 2006-05-06. ^ Marshack, Alexander (1991): The Roots of Civilization, Colonial Hill, Mount Kisco, NY. ^ Rudman, Peter Strom (2007). How Mathematics Happened: The First 50,000 Years. Prometheus Books. p. 64.
What is the history of mathematics? The history of mathematics deals with the origin of discoveries in mathematics and the mathematical methods and notation of the past. Before the modern age and the worldwide spread of knowledge, written examples of new mathematical developments have come to light only in a few locales.
Herein, Was mathematics a pattern in ancient China?
As an answer to this: This certainly seems to have been the pattern in ancient China. Many of the first works in Chinese mathematics, including the first book, Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, and followed by The Ten Classics of Mathematics, concentrate on methods for solving practical problems in mathematics.
Also, What is the most important math textbook in China?
The response is: ( Source: Mathematical Treasure: The Chinese Nine Chapters in Japan, MAA Convergence) Of the works considered China’s Ten Mathematical Classics, the Nine Chapters is the oldest and the most influential. Like Euclid’s Elements in the West, it was used as a basic textbook for mathematics from ancient times all the way to 1600 CE and even later.
Where is the oldest mathematical object? Answer will be: "The Oldest Mathematical Object is in Swaziland". Mathematicians of the African Diaspora. SUNY Buffalo mathematics department. Retrieved 2006-05-06. ^ Marshack, Alexander (1991): The Roots of Civilization, Colonial Hill, Mount Kisco, NY. ^ Rudman, Peter Strom (2007). How Mathematics Happened: The First 50,000 Years. Prometheus Books. p. 64.
Simply so, What are the oldest mathematical records from India? The oldest extant mathematical records from India are the Sulba Sutras (dated variously between the 8th century BC and the 2nd century AD), appendices to religious texts which give simple rules for constructing altars of various shapes, such as squares, rectangles, parallelograms, and others.