• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

We investigate a method to find the least common multiples of numbers in the mathematics book GuIlJib(구일집(九一集), 1724) written by the greatest mathematician Hong Jung Ha(홍정하(洪正夏), 1684~?) in Chosun dynasty and then show his achievement on Number Theory. He first noticed that for the greatest common divisor d and the least common multiple l of two natural numbers a, b, l = $a\frac{b}{d}$ = $b\frac{a}{d}$ and $\frac{a}{d}$, $\frac{b}{d}$ are relatively prime and then obtained that for natural numbers $a_1,\;a_2,{\ldots},a_n$, their greatest common divisor D and least common multiple L, $\frac{ai}{D}$($1{\leq}i{\leq}n$) are relatively prime and there are relatively prime numbers $c_i(1{\leq}i{\leq}n)$ with L = $a_ic_i(1{\leq}i{\leq}n)$. The result is one of the most prominent mathematical results Number Theory in Chosun dynasty. The purpose of this paper is to show a process for Hong Jung Ha to capture and reveal a mathematical structure in the theory.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.117-128
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• 2022

In learning mathematics, if you know how much mathematics is related to real life, you can understand mathematics much more easily. So, in many cases, practical instances are used in exercises. This is the way that has been used in mathematical texts since ancient times. From this perspective, these practical problems enable to reflect the very contemporary lives of those who learn mathematics. In this paper, types of contents of the exercises in mathematical texts of Joseon Dynasty are investigated, so that it may be possible to imagine the life in Joseon dynasty.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2014

Tianyuanshu and Zengcheng Kaifangfa introduced in the Song-Yuan dynasties and their contribution to the theory of equations are one of the most important achievements in the history of Chinese mathematics. Furthermore, they became the most fundamental subject in the history of East Asian mathematics as well. The operations, or the mathematical structure of polynomials have been overlooked by traditional mathematics books. Investigation of GuIlJib (九一集) of Joseon mathematician Hong JeongHa reveals that Hong's approach to polynomials is highly structural. For the expansion of $\prod_{k=11}^{n}(x+a_k)$, Hong invented a new method which we name Hong JeongHa's synthetic expansion. Using this, he reveals that the processes in Zhengcheng Kaifangfa is not synthetic division but synthetic expansion.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2011

In Tian mu bi lei cheng chu jie fa(田畝比類乘除捷法) of Yang Hui suan fa(楊輝算法)), Yang Hui annotated detailed comments on the method to find roots of quadratic equations given by Liu Yi in his Yi gu gen yuan(議古根源) which gave a great influence on Chosun Mathematics. In this paper, we show that 'Zeng cheng kai fang fa'(增乘開方法) evolved from a process of binomial expansions of $(y+{\alpha})^n$ which is independent from the synthetic divisions. We also show that extending the results given by Liu Yi-Yang Hui and those in Suan xue qi meng(算學啓蒙), Chosun mathematican Hong Jung Ha(洪正夏) elucidated perfectly the 'Zeng cheng kai fang fa' as the present synthetic divisions in his Gu il jib(九一集).

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.273-289
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• 2018

The KaiFangFa開方法 of traditional mathematics was completed in ${\ll}$JiuZhang SuanShu九章算術${\gg}$ originally, and further organized in Song宋 $Yu{\acute{a}}n$元 dinasities. The former is the ShiSuoKaiFangFa釋鎖開方法 using the coefficients of the polynomial expansion, and the latter is the ZengChengKaiFangFa增乘開方法 obtaining the solution only by some mechanical numerical manipulations. ${\ll}$SanHak JeongEui算學正義${\gg}$ basically used the latter and improved the estimate-value array by referring to the written-calculation in ${\ll}$ShuLi JingYun數理精蘊${\gg}$. As a result, ZengChengKaiFangFa was more refined so that the KaiFangFa algorithm is more consistent.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-24
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• 2006

We study the theory of finite series in Chosun Dynasty Mathematics. We divide it into two parts by the publication of Lee Sang Hyuk(李尙爀, 1810-?)'s Ik San(翼算, 1868) and then investigate their history. The first part is examined by Gyung Sun Jing(慶善徵, 1616-?)'s Muk Sa Jib San Bub(默思集算法), Choi Suk Jung(崔錫鼎)'s Gu Su Ryak(九數略), Hong Jung Ha(洪正夏)'s Gu Il Jib(九一集), Cho Tae Gu(趙泰耉)'s Ju Su Gwan Gyun(籌書管見), Hwang Yun Suk(黃胤錫)'s San Hak Ib Mun(算學入門), Bae Sang Sul(裵相設)'s Su Gye Soe Rok and Nam Byung Gil(南秉吉), 1820-1869)'s San Hak Jung Ei(算學正義, 1867), and then conclude that the theory of finite series in the period is rather stable. Lee Sang Hyuk obtained the most creative results on the theory in his Ik San if not in whole mathematics in Chosun Dynasty. He introduced a new problem of truncated series(截積). By a new method, called the partition method(分積法), he completely solved the problem and further obtained the complete structure of finite series.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.233-248
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• 2015

Year 2014 was very special to Korean mathematical society. Year 2014 was the Mathematical Year of Korea, and the International Congress of Mathematicians "ICM 2014" was held in Seoul, Korea. The year 2014 was also the 330th anniversary year of the birth of Joseon mathematician Hong JeongHa. He is one of the best, in fact the best, of Joseon mathematicians. So it is worth celebrating his birth. Joseon dynasty adopted a caste system, according to which Hong JeongHa was not in the higher class, but in the lower class of the Joseon society. In fact, he was a mathematician, a middle class member, called Jungin, of the society. We think over how Hong JeongHa was able to write his mathematical book GuIlJib in Joseon dynasty.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.25-38
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• 2005

We briefly survey the history of Chinese mathematics which concerns the resolution of right triangles. And we analyse the problems Yucigugosulyodohae(劉氏勾股述要圖解) which is the mathematical book of Chosun Dynasty and contains the 224 problems about right triangles only. Among them, 210 problems are for resolution of right triangles. We also present the methods for generating the Pythagorean triples and constructing polynomial equations in Yucigugosulyodohae which are needed for resolving right triangles.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.39-54
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• 2005

In Chinese Mathematics, Jia Xian(要憲) introduced Zeng cheng kai fang fa(增乘開方法) to get approximations of solutions of Polynomial equations which is a generalization of square roots and cube roots in Jiu zhang suan shu. The synthetic divisions in Zeng cheng kai fang fa give ise to two concepts of Fan il(飜積) and Yi il(益積) which were extensively used in Chosun Dynasty Mathematics. We first study their history in China and Chosun Dynasty and then investigate the historical fact that Chosun mathematicians Nam Byung Gil(南秉吉) and Lee Sang Hyuk(李尙爀) obtained the sufficient conditions for Fan il and Yi il for quadratic equations and proved them in the middle of 19th century.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-44
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• 2020

This study investigated the representation and algorithms of western mathematics reflected on the algebra domains of Chosun-Sanhak in the 18th century. I also analyzed the co-occurrences and replacement phenomenon between western algorithms and traditional algorithms. For this purpose, I analyzed nine Chosun mathematics books in the 18th century, including Gusuryak and Gosasibijip. The results of this study are as follows. First, I identified the process of changing to a calculation by writing of western mathematics, from traditional four arithmetical operations using Sandae and the formalized explanation for the proportional concept and proportional expression. Second, I observed the gradual formalization of mathematical representation of the solution for a simultaneous linear equation. Lastly, I identified the change of the solution for square root from traditional Gaebangsul and Jeungseunggaebangbeop to a calculation by the writing of western mathematics.