A study on the contents related to the plane figures of Joseon-Sanhak in the late 18th century

Eunah Choi1,*   

1

Abstract

This study investigated the contents related to the plane figures in the geometry domains of Joseon-Sanhak in the late 18th century and focused on changes in explanations and calculation methods related to plane figures, the rigor of mathematical logic in the problem-solving process, and the newly emerged mathematical topics. For this purpose, We analyzed , and written in the late 18th century and and written in the previous period. The results of this study are as follows. First, an explanation that pays attention to the figures as an object of inquiry, not as a measurement object, and a case of additional presentation or replacing the existing solution method was found. Second, descriptions of the validity of calculations in some problems, explanations through diagrams with figure diagrams, clear perceptions of approximations and explanations of more precise approximation were representative examples of pursuing the rigor of mathematical logic. Lastly, the new geometric domain theme in the late 18th century was Palsun corresponding to today's trigonometric functions and example of extending the relationship between the components of the triangle to a general triangle. Joseon-Sanhak cases in the late 18th century are the meaningful materials which explain the gradual acceptance of the theoretical and argumentative style of Western mathematics

Figures & Tables

Figure 6. Diagram and explanation of the problem of Gugopalsun in .