Zu Chongzhi was one of the most famous ancient Chinese mathematicians (数学家) in both China and the Western World. Because of his achievements in moths, he was named "the Maths Expert in Ancient China". From a young age, he was taught natural science, maths, and so on.
The little boy was interested in all of these science subjects; especially in maths.
He was famous for his calculation (计算) of pi (圆周率π). According to historical records, he did all the work using nothing but wooden sticks. When he was 13 years old, he worked out the number of pi as between 3.1415926 and 3. 1415927, which was 800 years earlier than the Western maths experts. The achievement has been known around the world.
Zu Chongzhi was successful not only in maths but also in other fields. He worked out that a year should be 365. 24281481 days long and he was also the inventor of the Daming Calendar (大明历). Zu was good at machine making, too. He once mode a long-distance boat which had the ability of traveling over 50 kilometers a day.
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Zu Chongzhi—the Maths Expert in China |
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When he was young |
Being interested in all of these science subjects, especially in maths |
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When he was 13 |
Working out the of pi s between 3. 1415926 and 3. 1415927. which was eight earlier than the Western maths experts |
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His other successful achievements |
Working out that a year should be 365. 24281481 days long and the Daming Calender Making a boat which was _to travel 50 kilometers a day |
