Zhao Youqin and his calculation of \(\pi\) (Q1370243)

Zhao Youqin (1271-?) composed one of the two medieval Chinese texts describing procedures to determine approximate values of \(\pi\) that came down to us. The purpose of the paper is twofold. First, the author sketches a biography of this Chinese polymath who contributed to mathematics, astronomy, optics, alchemy, but also was one of the patriarchs of the Quanzhen shool of Song-Yuan Daoism. Second, A. Volkov analyses Zhao's text devoted to \(\pi\). He shows in which respect Zhao's procedure differs from the earlier one by Liu Hui (3rd century). Moreover, A. Volkov strives to reconstruct the way in which Zhao Youqin actually performed his computations and, in connection with this, his motivations for dealing with this topic. An appendix offers a richly annotated translation of the Chinese text.