• 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.