The Bi Li Shu Biao Logarithm Tables

by Jack Le Moine

From the latest happenings in things historical. This paper Study on Compilation of Bi Li Shu Biao was published 27 days ago in Advances in Historical Studies. The paper’s author is Zezhong Yang, The School of Mathematics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.

This paper studies the introduction of logarithms into China from the West “at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty” (began 1644 AD) and how Chinese scholors modified them according to norms of Chinese culture.  Under CC BY-SA 4.0, here is the Conclusion:

Bi Li Shu Biao is an important logarithm table that is compiled by Jean Nicolas Smogolenski and Xue Fengzuo. Through analyzing the characteristic of logarithm values in Bi Li Shu Biao, it is known that all logarithm values are obtained on the basis of reference to the Western logarithmic table and by cutting western logarithm values and by processing with the method of five homes six into. So the course that Jean Nicolas Smogolenski and Xue Fengzuo compiled the Bi Li Shu Biao must be as follows: First, the Jean Nicolas Smogolenski introduced the knowledge about logarithm to Xue Fengzuo and Xue Fengzuo translated the logarithm into Chinese; secondly Xue Fengzuo cut all values and reserved six digits after decimal point with the method of five homes six into which was usually used in Chinese daily life. At last, Xue Fengzuo arranged all logarithm values according Chinese read custom. Maybe the last 76 mistakes appearing in this phase are due to haste or neglect.”