2008/01/02 by Albrecht Heeffer · 1 citation
Mathematics · #History and Theory of Mathematics #Fibonacci number #Chinese remainder theorem #Remainder #Mathematics #Arithmetic #Discrete mathematics
paper · pdf · doi:10.21825/philosophica.82169
openalex publication_date 2008/01/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This paper critically assesses the claim by Gavin Menzies that Regiomontanus knew about the Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT) through the Sh sh Ji zhng (SSJZ) written in 1247. Menzies uses this among many others arguments for his controversial theory that a large fleet of Chinese vessels visited Italy in the first half of the 15th century. We first refute that Regiomontanus used the method from the SSJZ. CRT problems appear in earlier European arithmetic and can be solved by the method of the Sun Zi, as did Fibonacci. Secondly, we provide evidence that remainder problems were treated within the European abbaco tradition independently of the CRT method. Finally, we discuss the role of recreational mathematics for the oral dissemination of sub-scientific knowledge.