Unparalleled Mathematical Genius---Zu Chongzhi, Fearless of Power and Nobility: Zu Chongzhi, Fearless of Power and Nobility

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-making, mechanical manufacturing, music, and other fields. In astronomy, he created the famous New Calendar——《Daming Calendar》in the history of Chinese calendars. In the《Daming Calendar》, he first introduced the concept of precession, marking a major reform in the history of Chinese calendars. 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—the legendary mathematician Zu Chongzhi. A mathematician skilled in calculations, an astronomer unbound by tradition, and a mechanical inventor fearless of authority.