• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-32
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• 2005

This paper is a comprehensive study of mathematics education in the Chosun Dynasty. The basis of this work relies on actual historical records from the period. As shown in the records, mathematics education during the Chosun Dynasty remained at the level of basic arithmetics. The arithmeticians of the Chosun Dynasty did not have an understanding of more complex mathematical thought. But the simple arithmetics of the Chosun Dynasty facilitated the building up of a unique merchant 'middle class.' So this paper examines the development of mathematics in the Chosun Dynasty through middle class. Although the Chosun Dynasty arithmetics occupy a significant part of mathematics history, this paper details why their thought did not evaluate more advanced mathematical theories.