Chu

Chu Shih-Chieh

Born: about 1270 in China
Died: about 1330

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Chu Shih-Chieh wrote two important texts in 1299 and 1303. The first Introduction to Mathematical Studies was intended for beginners. The second book marks the peak of Chinese mathematics and it was a long time before further progress was made in China. The book contains a transformation method for solving equations (used up to degree 14) rediscovered by Horner and Ruffini. It also contains Pascal's triangle (discovered in China earlier) and gives formulas for 1+2+3+4+..., 1+3+6+10+..., 1+4+10+20..., 1+5+15+35+..., 1+6+21+56+... .

References:

  1. Dictionary of Scientific Biography
  2. Y Mikami, The development of mathematics in China and Japan (Leipzig-New York, 1913), 89-98. 
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JOC/EFR February 1996