Western Mathematics in China from the 16th to the 20th Century

TL;DR

This paper explores the historical influence of Western mathematics on China from the 16th to 20th centuries, highlighting lexical developments and the adoption of Western algebraic notations.

Contribution

It provides a historical analysis of the integration and impact of Western mathematical concepts and notation systems in China over four centuries.

Findings

Western mathematics influenced Chinese lexical development in geometry.

Western algebraic notation was eventually adopted in China.

The period saw significant cultural and scientific exchange.

Abstract

From the 16th to the 20th century, Western mathematics had a dramatic impact in China. Firstly they triggered lexical developments, e.g. in the field of geometry. Later, in the 19the century, even though Li Shanlan had invented his own system of algebraic notations, however Western ones were enventually adopted.