On Liu Yi's positive-negative root extraction algorithm.
The author analyses Liu Yi (12th century)'s breakthrough in dealing with quadratic equations as we can know of it through the extensive quotations given by Yang Hui in his \textit{Tianmu bilei chengchu jiefa}, 1275. Liu Yi seems to be the first mathematician in ancient China to have tackled solving equations with positive and negative coefficients. This step is quite important, since it seems to have opened the way to applying the Ruffini-Horner algorithm not only to \(n\)-th root extraction, as in 11th century China, but also to solving any kind of algebraic equations, as was done in the 13th century. The author gives many insights on Liu Yi's method and approach, which may be quite helpful in better understanding his contribution. He touches on several editorial points that are quite appealing. However, due to the concision of the paper, the points are not always made with sufficient detail. Moreover, problems in the English expression, as well as numerous typos obscure the author's ideas from time to time.
- The procedure of theSection of Pieces of Areasin Li Ye and Yang Hui’s works: genealogy of diagrams and equations
- Li Ye and his \textit{Yi Gu Yan Duan} (Old mathematics in expanded sections)
- scientific article; zbMATH DE number 735649
- Gu Yingxiang's method of solving numerical equations with the abacus
- scientific article; zbMATH DE number 4004116
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