A Study On The Numeration Of The Ten Treatises Of Mathematical Classics

Though numerals are very important in people's life, there is much to study on them nowadays as fewer attentions are paid on them.The Ten Treatises of Mathematical Classics is naming for ten mathematic literatures that were accomplished during Wei and Han Dynasty to Sui and Tang Dynasty, which containing Zhoubi Suanjing, Jiuzhang Suanshu, Haidao Suanjing, Sunzi Suanjing, Xiahouyang Suanjing, Zhangqiujian Suanjing, Wucao Suangjing, Wujing Suanshu, Jigu Suanjing and Shushu Jiyi. The formal name of the book was established in 1777.As a result of the special content, The Ten Treatises of Mathematical Classics is rich of numerals . It was also the key teaching material of Calculating Shop and Imperial Examinations, which enable it to supply more expression of numeral than spoken language. So it is worthy of studying on for its high value of corpus.The numeration in The Ten Treatises of Mathematical Classics was investigated. First, based on former productions, numerals in The Ten Treatises of Mathematical Classics were divided into Setting numerals and Uncertain numerals by selected criteria. Setting numerals were also divided into cardinal number, ordinal, fraction and multiple. Uncertain numerals were also divided into approximate number, asking number, imaginary number and remainder.Then, in terms of finished time of these ten treatises and other relevant information, diachronic changes of fraction was studied, as well as substantive quantity phrases and verbs quantity phrases in numeral phrases. Finally, Syntax function of numeral was depicted after the comprehension of numeral in The Ten Treatises of Mathematical Classics. Questions of the end time of Xiahouyang Suanjing were put forward according to the research findings.