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China Terminology ›› 2019, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (3): 74-80.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8578.2019.03.015

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The Meaning and Evolution of Chinese Ancient Calculation Term “jinchan tuoqiao”

NIU Teng   

  • Received:2019-02-28 Online:2019-06-25 Published:2019-07-08

Abstract:

“Jinchan tuoqiao”(金蝉脱壳) is a calculation method that solves the multiplication and division operations by addition and subtraction. It is an important and easy-to-understand multiplication and division calculation method in ancient Chinese mathematics, especially in abacus. Later it developed into a more complicated calculation method such as “coubei chengchu”(凑倍乘除), “baopi”(剥皮), “bapi”(扒皮) . Some abacus dictionaries or books have explained “jinchan tuoqiao” and its related terms, but each of them is different, and there are also some shortcomings. By tracing the origin of the term “jinchan tuoqiao” and analyzing the meaning of this term and its related terms in different mathematical books, the paper studies the mathematical meaning and evolution process of “jinchan tuoqiao”.

Key words: “jinchan tuoqiao”, abacus term, mathematical meaning, evolution, history of mathematics in ancient China

CLC Number:  (数学)