Li Ye and his \textit{Yi Gu Yan Duan} (Old mathematics in expanded sections) (Q1062038)

This paper is a thorough study of the two main methods for the transformation of a geometrical problem into a problem involving polynomial (mostly quadratic) equations, as expounded in the Yi Gu Yan Duan, a text of 1259, written by the eminent Song-algebraicist Li Ye (1192-1279; sometimes also written Li Zhi). The more developed of the two methods is based on the ''Tianyuan'' (''Celestial-variable'')-notation (which represents algebraic terms or equations by the associated array of coefficients); it can be performed easily on a counting-board. The ''Tianyuan''-method is known in several versions also from other texts of the period; it is rather well documented [cf. e.g. \textit{U. Libbrecht}, Chinese mathematics in the thirteenth century, The shu-shu chiu-chang of Ch'in Chiu-shao. (1973; Zbl 0291.01003); \textit{J. Hoe}, Les systèmes d'équations polynômes dans le Si Yuan Yujian (1977); the first author, Chinese polynomial equations in the thirteenth century (in explorations in the History of Science and Technology in China) (Shanghai 1982)]. The other method, Tiao Duan (''method by sections''), labeled the ''old method'' by Li Ye, derives quadratic equations from the given data (in a rather ad hoc-manner) by geometrical considerations aided by diagrams; these equations are then solved by the traditional methods, as described already in the Han-text ''Jiuzhang Suanshu''. The only similar method in the still extant Chinese mathematical literature is Yang Hui's ''Yan Duan'' method [cf. the first author's critical study of the Yang Hui Suanfa (1977; Zbl 0367.01002)].