Mathematician:Qin Jiushao

Mathematician

Chinese mathematician, meteorologist, inventor, politician, and writer.

Credited with the discovery of the Ruffini-Horner method.

Also credited with inventing the Tianchi basin, a type of rain gauge instrument used to gather meteorological data.

Noted in particular for having a boisterous personality with a violent streak.

Nationality

Chinese

History

• Born: 1202 in Puzhou (Anyue), Szechwan province, China
• Died: 1261 in Meizhou (now Meixian), Guangtong province, China

Writings

• 1247: Shushu Jiuzhang ("Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections")

Also known as

In Chinese: 秦九韶

With tones: Qín Jiǔsháo

Also transliterated Ch'in Chiu-shao.

His courtesy name was Daogu (Chinese: 道古).

Sources

• John J. O'Connor and Edmund F. Robertson: "Qin Jiushao": MacTutor History of Mathematics archive

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Qin Jiushao (Ch'in Chiu-shao) (c. ad 1200)
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Qin Jiushao (Ch'in Chiu-shao) (c. ad 1200)