Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 3, Mathematics and the Sciences of the Heavens and the Earth

Joseph Needham

Cambridge University Press, 1959 - Body, Mind & Spirit - 926 pages

After two volumes mainly introductory, Dr Needham now embarks upon his systematic study of the development of the natural sciences in China. The Sciences of the Earth follow: geography and cartography, geology, seismology and mineralogy. Dr Needham distinguishes parallel traditions of scientific cartography and religious cosmography in East and West, discussing orbocentric wheel-maps, the origins of the rectangular grid system, sailing charts and relief maps, Chinese survey methods, and the impact of Renaissance cartography on the East. Finally-and here Dr Needham's work has no Western predecessors-there are full accounts of the Chinese contribution to geology and mineralogy.

Contents

• List of Illustrations page: xvii
• List of Tables: xxxv
• Authors Note: xli
• MATHEMATICS page i: 5
• A Geometry: 91
• 2 The theorem of Pythagoras p: 95
• 3 Treatment of plane areas and solid figures p: 97
• 4 Evaluation of n p: 99
• 5 Conic sections p: 102
• 6 Yang Hui and the coming of Euclid p: 103
• 7 Coordinate geometry p: 106
• 8 Trigonometry p: 108
• 9 Problems and puzzles p: 111
• i Algebra p: 112
• 1 Simultaneous linear equations p: 115
• 2 Matrices and determinants: 117
• 4 Indeterminate analysis and indeterminate equa tions p: 119
• 5 Quadratic equations and the method of finite differences p: 123
• 6 Cubic and higher equations: 125
• 7 Numerical higher equations p: 126
• 8 The Thien Yuan notation: 129
• 9 Binomial theorem and the Pascal triangle p: 133
• 10 Series and progressions: 137
• 11 Permutation and combination p: 139
• 12 Calculus p: 141
• j Influences and transmissions p: 146
• k Mathematics and science in China and the West p: 150
• THE SCIENCES OF THE HEAVENS: 169
• ASTRONOMY page 17: 171
• b Definitions p: 178
• c Bibliographical notes: 182
• ii Chinese and Japanese literature p: 185
• d Ancient and medieval cosmological ideas p: 210
• e The polar and equatorial character of Chinese astronomy: 229
• The naming cataloguing and mapping of stars p: 263
• g The development of astronomical instruments p: 284
• spheres p: 342
• h Calendrical and planetary astronomy p: 390
• Records of celestial phenomena p: 409
• j The time of the Jesuits p: 437
• k Summary p: 458
• METEOROLOGY page: 462
• GEOGRAPHY AND CARTOGRAPHY page: 497
• c A note on Chinese explorers p: 522
• GEOLOGY and Related Sciences page: 591
• SEISMOLOGY page: 624
• MINERALOGY page: 636
• ADDENDA page: 681
• GENERAL INDEX page: 803
• Table of Chinese Dynasties: 875

About the author

Joseph Needham FRS (1900-1995) was the founder of the Science and Civilisation in China project.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 3, Mathematics and the Sciences of the Heavens and the Earth; Volume 3 of Mathematics and the sciences of the heavens and the earth; Volume 3 of Science and Civilisation in China, Joseph Needham
• Author: Joseph Needham
• Editor: Joseph Needham
• Contributor: Joseph Needham
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1959
• ISBN: 0521058015, 9780521058018
• Length: 926 pages
• Subjects: Body, Mind & Spirit / Mysticism; Science / History; Technology & Engineering / History