Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 415 Please listen to the question

Zu Chong studied natural sciences in his lifetime, and his main contributions were in mathematics, astronomical calendar and mechanical manufacturing.

Before the Han Dynasty, China generally used three as the numerical value of pi, that is, "three diameters of one week".This is a big error when calculating the circumference and area of ​​a circle.

Based on the scientific method created by Liu Hui to find pi by "cutting the circle", Zu Chongzhi used the method of opening and closing, and after repeated calculations, he found the pi between 3 and 1415927.This was the most accurate value in the world at that time, and he also became the first person in the world to calculate the exact value of pi to the seventh digit after the decimal point.It was not until more than 3 years later that this record was broken by Europeans.

It can be said that pi is Zu Chongzhi's masterpiece. This alone has pushed Zu Chongzhi to the pinnacle of ancient mathematics. No one can question its historical status in the field of mathematics, no matter ancient or modern.

But now, this Wang Xiaotong actually dares to hack the "Great Ancestor God"?
Of course, Fang Junshang was the first to hear about the book "Zhushu", and he had no idea what the arguments in the book were.There is no doubt that Zu Chong's father and son are among the greatest mathematicians in history. Of course, this does not mean that all his mathematical arguments are correct.However, according to the scientific spirit of the father and son, who are not superstitious in the ancients, dare to innovate, are modest and cautious, have a humble heart, and pin their hopes on future studies, Fang Jun will definitely not believe Wang Xiaotong's comments.

Achievement and character are not the same thing, but sometimes they are closely related.

Just the words Wang Xiaotong said just now, "Please visit those who can count, and examine the pros and cons. If you send a word of it, thank you for a thousand gold", you can see his attitude towards science.He considers his work to be so perfect and seamless that his contemporaries cannot sing with it...

His complacent and arrogant attitude is the mentality that a scholar should have?
Such an extremely arrogant mentality, can really study any academic that shocks the past and the present, that is a ghost!
Kong Yingda said solemnly: "Xiaotong is arrogant and conceited, but he doesn't know that there is no limit to learning? The way to study, you need to be humble and prudent in order to make progress. , which is equivalent to being self-sufficient, not the attitude of entering school!"

These remarks can be said to be ruthless, pointing directly at Wang Xiaotong's impetuous heart, which is not the mentality that a student should have.

To Fang Jun's surprise, Wang Xiaotong was neither annoyed nor accepted by Kong Yingda's words, but thought that Kong Yingda was farting.One is strict and old-fashioned, the other is arrogant, and the styles are completely different. It is hard to believe how the friendship between the two has been maintained...

Wang Xiaotong ignored Kong Yingda's dissuasion, just stared at Fang Jun, and said proudly: "Compared to the Zu family's "Zui Shu" full of errors and omissions, a certain compilation of "Ji Gu Suan Jing" drills into the secrets, and the songs are exhausted and the generation is lacking. The bosom friend will eventually become widowed. A certain thinks every day and night, sighs in the book, and often stagnates with this reasoning, fearing that once he closes his eyes, no one will be known to future generations."

Fang Jun laughed.

It is the responsibility of scholars to contribute their knowledge to society.However, thinking that only oneself can reach the highest peak, and that it is impossible for people to reach or exceed their own level later, which forms a sharp contrast with the spiritual realm of the ancient philosophers and sages who "can speak as soon as possible", and in vain exposes their own arrogance. The mentality is like a clown...

Belittling seniors, contempt for peers, contempt for later learning, thinking that one is unprecedented and no one since, can this be the attitude of a scientist?

A scientist does not have to be a modest gentleman, but he also cannot be so arrogant.Under the domination of this mentality, it is not impossible to do some creative achievements. However, generally speaking, it is impossible to make achievements of the level of Zu Chongzhi.With this arrogant mentality, Wang Xiao did not humbly study and study what he did not understand, but denounced it as "all wrong".

Wang Xiaotong was unhappy: "Why are you laughing?"

Fang Jun couldn't help laughing: "The younger generation is of great benefit today, so I am happy in my heart."

Whose achievements will shock the past and present, and will last forever?No one is more qualified for this judgment than Fang Jun.Who is annihilated in the tide of history, who will be revered by thousands of years later, who can know better than Fang Jun?In terms of fame alone, Wang Xiaotong's mathematical achievements and theoretical level are far worse than Zu Chong's, and the "Jigu Suanjing" has never been a shocking literary masterpiece...

As for you, it's probably just a joke.

Wang Xiaotong stroked his beard happily and glanced at Kong Yingda with satisfaction.How, this guy with the best hammer in Chang'an City, isn't he convinced by a certain person, and he is willing to bow down?

Kong Yingda smiled wryly and shook his head.

If it wasn't for this Wang Xiaotong who was his neighbor since he was a child, when he was a child, he fell into the water and was rescued by him.

The difference in how people behave is really huge.

The duty room of the Ministry of Rites is not a solemn and rigorous place, it is just a place where officials are on duty. There are neither only letters nor strict rules. Although Kong Yingda's fame spread throughout the Tang Dynasty, he was usually kind and gentle. Those subordinate colleagues When I have nothing to do, I will ask him for advice.

At this time, the Ministry of Rites did not have much to do, and the officials who were tired and bored heard the loud debate in the duty room, so they could not help but quietly came to listen.

Fang Jun felt very good about the academic openness of the Tang Dynasty.There are often great Confucian scholars who discuss with others, and everyone in the world can listen to them, and they can gain something and even express their own opinions.

At this time, the officials of the Ministry of Rites came in quietly in twos and threes, and sat quietly on the periphery.

Kong Yingda ignored this, and Wang Xiaotong was even more energetic. The more people there were, the more he could spread his reputation...

Fang Jun had absolutely no sympathy for this Wang Xiaotong. Seeing the old guy's triumph, his heart moved, and he smiled and said, "Senior's cultivation of arithmetic is really a model for us to advance after the end of school, and I am fortunate to have a chat with my senior today. , is really a big gain. It's just that a few days ago, the junior encountered a problem and couldn't figure it out. I wonder if I can ask the senior to solve the puzzle?"

Questions?
Wang Xiaotong's heart is as happy as drinking ice water in dog days, that's it!If you have problems that you cannot answer, ask me for advice, and then I will answer them for you. It can not only convince you, but also spread the reputation of the old man as a progressive and knowledgeable man. It really kills two birds with one stone!
"Let's talk about it." Wang Xiaotong was full of confidence in his cultivation in mathematics.The problems of the past and the present have never been answered in my own eyes...

Fang Jun said: "Please listen to the question..." As soon as the words came out, he suddenly realized that he had spoken smoothly, and hurriedly said awkwardly: "If the senior has a boat, there are 75 cows, 34 sheep, and 25 horses on the boat. Excuse me?" , how old is the captain?"

Wang Xiaotong was stunned.

Kong Yingda was stunned.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites were stunned...

Everyone started to do mental calculations.

75 cows, 34 sheep, 25 horses... I have to, as one of the six arts of a gentleman, mathematics must be learned by every scholar.In addition, at this time, the imperial examination ethos of "only classics and historical theory" like Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties had not yet formed. Except for the Four Books and Five Classics, they were all miscellaneous studies.

This is the question, but everyone is confused...

Wang Xiaotong glanced at Fang Jun in astonishment, and cursed inwardly: What is this asking for advice, it is clearly to create a problem for the old man, to embarrass the old man!Little bastard, you're not being kind!

But this question...

An official from the Ministry of Etiquette even came to Kong Yingda's desk, picked up a pen and paper and wrote the three numbers 75, 34, and 25 on the paper, and then marked them with cattle, sheep, and horses respectively.

Wang Xiaotong looked up at the sky, his eyes were slightly closed, but his mind was spinning.

This question is very strange, it seems simple, but there is a trick in it, otherwise the seemingly irrelevant 75 cows, 34 sheep, 25 horses...how can they be related to the captain?

Fang Jun, on the other hand, lifted the kettle on the charcoal stove, poured boiling water into the teapot, and brewed himself a cup of fragrant tea. Shaking, afraid of scalding myself.

Let you Tang people experience the power of brain teasers...

(End of this chapter)