• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.427-441
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• 2021

Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon is a mathematical book of Chosun dynasty by Jo Tae Gu. This study is to analyze his understanding for the 'Gujang' in the 'Gujang-Mundab'. From this study, we were able to see the contents of 'Gujang-Mundab' that has been unknown in detail so far. In this study, the following facts are found. Most parts of 'Gujang' in 'Gujang-Mundab' was explained the same as Gu-Jang-San-Sul. This indicates that Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon was influenced by Gu-Jang-San-Sul. However, Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon also contains what he wrote with his own understanding. We expect that the results provide basic information for mathematics history in Korea.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Sea Mirror, reflecting the heaven of the circles circumscribed or inscribed, by Li Zhi of Yuan Dynasy(1271-1368) was resolved by Li Rui(1773-1817) and added by the new four rules not solved. In the Chosun Dynasty, Nam Byung Churl resolved the problems of the Sea Mirror of the circle measurement and the preface was written by his younger brother Nam Byung Gil(1820-1869). In this paper, the concepts of the problems in the Sea Mirror and its three problems will be introduced.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1093-1130
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to examine obstacles to progress for 20th century Korean mathematics. In 1945, shortly after Korea was liberated from Japan, there were no Korean mathematics Ph.D. holders, less than ten bachelor degree holders, and only one person with a master's degree in mathematics. We investigate the reasons for this. Korea has to overcome such an unforgiving condition and rebuild quality education programs in higher mathematics over the last several decades. These debilitating circumstances in higher mathematics were considerable obstacles in developing a higher level of mathematical research for the mainstream of 20th century world mathematics. We study policy and curriculums of Korean school mathematics in the late 19th and early 20th century, with some educational and socio-political background.

• 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.18 no.1
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• pp.33-48
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• 2005

The Rule of False Position is known as an arithmetical solution of algebraical equations. On the other hand, the Excess-Deficit Rule is an algorithm for calculating about excessive or deficient quantitative relations, which is found in the ancient eastern mathematical books, including the nine chapters on the mathematical arts. It is usually said that the origin of the Rule of False Position is the Excess-Deficit Rule in ancient Chinese mathematics. In relation to these facts, we pose two questions: - As many authors explain, the excess-deficit rule is a solution of simultaneous linear equations？ - Which relation is there between the two rules explicitly？ To answer these Questions, we consider the Rule of Single/Double False Position and research the Excess-Deficit Rule in some ancient mathematical books of Chosun Dynasty that was heavily affected by Chinese mathematics. And we pursue their historical traces in Egypt, Arab and Europe. As a result, we can make sure of the status of the Excess-Deficit Rule differing from the Rectangular Arrays(the solution of simultaneous linear equations) and identify the relation of the two rules: the application of the Excess-Deficit Rule including supposition in ancient Chinese mathematics corresponds to the Rule of Double False Position in western mathematics. In addition, we try to appreciate didactical value of the Rule of False Position which is apt to be considered as a historical by-product.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.419-434
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• 2016

Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon is a mathematical book of Chosun dynasty in the early 18th century. This study is to analyze and compare the contents between Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon and Gu-Jang-San-Sul. From this study, we are able to see the contents of Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon that has been unknown in detail so far. In this comparative study, the following facts are found. First, many problems in Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon are similar to the Gu-Jang-San-Sul on the contents and frame. Most of them are same type. But some of problems in Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon have been developed. Second, there are distinct differences of description type. And Ju-Seo-Gwan-Gyeon was influenced by Gu-Jang-San-Sul but also other mathematical books. We expect that the results provide basic information for mathematics history in Korea.