On mathematical problems as historically determined artifacts: Reflections inspired by sources from ancient China |
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Authors: | Karine Chemla |
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Institution: | CNRS, UMR 7596, REHSEIS, Paris, France; Université Paris 7, 3 square Bolivar, 75019 Paris, France |
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Abstract: | Is a mathematical problem a cultural invariant, which would invariably give rise to the same practices, independent of the social groups considered? This paper discusses evidence found in the oldest Chinese mathematical text handed down by the written tradition, the canonical work The Nine Chapters on Mathematical Procedures and its commentaries, to answer this question in the negative. The Canon and its commentaries bear witness to the fact that, in the tradition for which they provide evidence, mathematical problems not only were questions to be solved, but also played a key part in conducting proofs of the correctness of algorithms. |
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Keywords: | 01A25 01A35 01A85 |
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