Qin jiushao biography

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. 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 theoremwhich used algorithms to solve problems.

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 equations A numerical algorithm based on Horner's methodfinding sums of arithmetic series, and solving linear systems.

Main work. Selin, Helaine Springer published April 16, ISBN Strangeways, Ian Precipitation: Theory, Measurement and Distribution. Cambridge University Press published April 14, Guo, Shuchun. He is regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians in Chinese history. This is especially remarkable because Qin did not devote his life to mathematics.

Qin jiushao biography

He was accomplished in many other fields and held a series of bureaucratic positions in several Chinese provinces. This treatise covered a variety of topics including indeterminate equations and the numerical solution of certain polynomial equations up to 10th order, as well as discussions on military matters and surveying. In geometry, he discovered "Qin Jiushao's formula" for finding the area of a triangle from the given lengths of three sides.

This formula is the same as Heron's formulaproved by Heron of Alexandria about 60 BCE, though knowledge of the formula may go back to Archimedes. Qin Jiushao later records the application of rainfall measurements in the mathematical treatise. The book also discusses the use of large snow gauges made from bamboo situated in mountain passes and uplands which are speculated to be first referenced to snow measurement.

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 the introduction techniques for solving certain types of algebraic equations using a numerical algorithm equivalent to the 19th century Horner's method and for finding sums of arithmetic series.

In fact Qin did not live in the capital Hang-chou for long since his father was posted to Tongchuan now Santai in Szechwan province in and Qin went there with him. Sadly, we do not know which recluse scholar taught Qin mathematics, but we do know that he studied the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. By Qin was himself the sheriff of a subprefecture in Szechwan province and at this time he was instructed in writing poetry by an official from Chengdu, in central Szechwan province.

It is worth noting at this point that as well as being a genius in mathematics and accomplished in poetry, Qin was expert at fencing, archery, riding, music and architecture. However, there was another side to his character. He was described by a contemporary in a letter to the Emperor as [ 1 ] His aggressive nature no doubt suited army life and he became a commander defender while serving in Szechwan province.

Genghis Khan, the Mongol leader, died in but the Mongols resumed their attacks on the Han Sung in Their armies invaded Szechwan province in and Qin was forced to leave. He wrote in the preface of Shushu Jiuzhang see for example [ 3 ] :- At the qin jiushao biography of the troubles with the barbarians, I spent several years on the remote frontier, without care for my safety among the arrows and stone missiles, I endured danger and unhappiness for ten years.

We need not feel too sorry for Qin, however, for he was a dishonest rogue who was quite prepared to poison those whom he disliked. He served as an administrator in Qizhou now Qichun in Hupeh province, but his behaviour there was so bad that it cause a military revolt. Then he was appointed governor of Hui-chou now She-hsien in Anhwei province but here he undertook illegal dealings in salt which made him rich.

He then moved to Wu-hsing in Chekiang province where he settled down to spend his illegally acquired riches.