Peerless Mathematical Genius: Zu Chongzhi, Unafraid of the Powerful

Author: Liu Xijun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: The biography of the ancient Chinese scientific master, the White Dolphin. He was an outstanding scientist during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. He was not only a mathematician but also proficient in astronomy, calendar, mechanical manufacturing, music, and other fields. In astronomy, he created the famous New Calendar——《Daming Calendar》in the history of Chinese calendar-making. In the《Daming Calendar》, he first introduced the concept of precession, which marked a major reform in the history of Chinese calendar-making. In mathematics, he calculated that the true value of pi should be between 3.1415926 and 3.1415927, a thousand years earlier than Europe. In mechanical manufacturing, he once created the bronze-cast south-pointing chariot, the water-powered mill for grinding rice and flour (shuidui mo), the "thousand-li boat" capable of traveling a hundred miles a day, and timekeeping instruments such as the hourglass and the. He is the extraordinary calculator—Zu Chongzhi. A mathematician skilled in calculations, an astronomer unbound by tradition, and a mechanical inventor unafraid of authority.