Trigonometry In The Late Qing Dynasty

Trigonometry, the first text book of trigonometry introduced into China after San Jiao Shu Li in the second eastward transmission of western sciences, has much more influence than Sanjiaoshuli, though less extensive and comprehensive than the latter. This thesis analyses this strange phenomenon from the following aspects:1.The thesis introduces the background information of Trigonometry, including the knowledge stock and algebraization of triangle before it being spread to China, and information about its writer, translator and publication. This part lays the groundwork for further analysis, such as the knowledge structure and characteristics of the book, response to the book from scholars of Qing Dynasty and the reason why it became popular.2.The thesis teases out the content of Trigonometry in details for the first time, discusses the structure and character of trigonometry. Since the book’s style coincided with the Chinese traditional mathematics, it turned out to be easily acceptable for the Chinese mathematicians. Therefore, its influence in China could not be ignored.3.Through the illustration of the spread of Trigonometry, the reasons for the gradual loss of algebraization of triangle by introduction of the book spread,which reveals the function and the influence of the book. The analysis of Liu Pengzhen’s Baxianbeizhi Xitixiangcao reflects the attitude and choice of scholars in late Qing Dynasty.4.The thesis discusses the special social and cultural background of late Qing Dynasty, and analyses the reason why Trigonometry became popular. Scholars at that time had different attitudes towards application of western techniques to Chinese traditional culture and social system. Western mathematic theories broke the limitations of Chinese tradition and system, which explains the reason for the decreasing influence of Trigonometry. Xie Honglai’s Elements of Trigonometry showed that the study of trigonometry had changed in late Qing Dynasty.Through the study on the book of Trigonometry, the author tries to offer some references and lessons to researches on the rise and fall of similar imported projects on mathematics in late Qing Dynasty. The study in this thesis also has academic significance on thorough understanding of transformation of Chinese mathematics from traditional to modern, or the Westernization process of mathematics in China.