Picturing pythagoras : An ancient Chinese approach to mathematical reasoning

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dc.contributor.authorBycroft, Clare
dc.date.accessioned2015-02-11T23:16:16Z
dc.date.available2015-02-11T23:16:16Z
dc.date.issued2009en
dc.description.abstractI consider the Theorem of Pythagoras as understood by ancient Chinese mathematicians based on texts dated to the 3rd-century AD. I have attempted to reproduce the diagrams that are indicated by the text to have existed, but are no longer extant. Through an analysis of the Chinese 'Gou-gu Rule' and its use in the context of a mathematical problem, it can be seen that the diagram was an essential component of the communication and development of ancient Chinese mathematics. By comparison with the Greek proof as given by Euclid in his Elements, this study explores the different modes of mathematical reasoning employed by these two independent civilisations.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/10121
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Canterbury. Mathematics and Statisticsen
dc.relation.isreferencedbyNZCUen
dc.rightsCopyright Clare Bycroften
dc.rights.urihttps://canterbury.libguides.com/rights/thesesen
dc.subject.anzsrcField of Research::01 - Mathematical Sciences::0101 - Pure Mathematicsen
dc.titlePicturing pythagoras : An ancient Chinese approach to mathematical reasoningen
uc.collegeFaculty of Engineeringen
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