Discussion On Chinese And Western Ancient Mathematical Values

In western culture, almost all western mathematics developed on the base of TheElements. The Elements reflected the western mathematicians’ pursuits and values onmathematics and embodied the function of mathematics in western culture. After its birth, TheElements wasn’t introduced into China until over one thousand years later. The Elements wasintroduced twice, lasting up to over250years, but it had little effect on Chinese culture andfailed to radically change the ancient Chinese mathematics. Also, it didn’t have a profoundeffect on Chinese civilization as it did on western one. From the perspective of the history ofmathematics, based on the culture and values of mathematics, the thesis analyses the effectsthat The Elements has had on different cultures during the two processes of introducing TheElements into China, and expounds their different comprehension on The Elements. By usingthe method of comparison, the thesis finds out and expounds the difference and reason whichexisted in Chinese and western mathematics and culture and studies on western mathematicsculture and values, so as to improve our country’s mathematical research and education.The thesis mainly consists of four chapters:Chapter One: It introduces the achievements of Chinese traditional mathematics beforeMing Dynasty and expounds the values.Chapter Two: By expounding the primary coverage of The Elements, the thesis analysesits effect on ancient Greek and western mathematics. From the cultural aspects, the thesisexpounds its effect on ancient Greek and western mathematics which is beyond mathematics.Chapter3: It mainly discusses the broadcasting and influence of The Elements in China.From the perspective of the history of mathematics, the thesis analyses two processes andinfluence that The Elements was introduced into China.Chapter4: It makes use of mathematical cultural history to think and make comparison.Firstly, it makes comparison of Chinese and western mathematics theory system. Secondly, ituses the values of ancient Chinese and western mathematicians to compare and analyze. Atlast it explores the inspiration which is brought by comparing Chinese and westernmathematics.