利玛窦在韶关对西方数学的传播及其影响(下)

Matteo Ricci’s Propagation of West Mathemaics in Shaoguan and Its Influences(Ⅱ)

利玛窦是沟通中西方数学文化的第一人,他对中西数学文化融合作出了杰出的贡献。他不仅是一位传教士,而且是一位数学家和数学教育家。他在韶关传教六年,向瞿太素等国人系统地传播了西方的初等数学、欧氏几何和"非欧几何"等数学知识,并与瞿太素一起尝试翻译了西方数学巨著欧几里得《几何原本》第一卷,使韶关成为西方数学系统传入中国大陆最早的地方。他所传播的西方数学精华使沉睡多年的中国传统数学焕发出了勃勃生机,使明末清初的中国传统数学在经过了两百多年的相互融合之后,逐步走上了现代数学萌芽与发展的道路,也使韶关成为中国现代数学发展史上可以追根溯源的地方之一。

Matteo Ricci, not only a missionary, but also mathematician and mathematical educationist, who was considered to have been the first person to communicate Chinese and western mathematical culture. He made a great contribution to the integration of them. For six years in Shaogaun, he systematically introduced western mathematics, such as elementary mathematics, euclidean geometry and non-euclidean geometry to Qutaisu,etc, and cooperated with him in translating the first chapter of euclidean elements of geometry, one of the most prominent accomplishments, which led to Shaoguan the first place of receiving western mathematics in Chinese mainland. These knowledge revived Chinese traditional mathematics. Chinese mathematics, gradully, stepped into rudiments and developments of modern mathematics, integrating with western＇s in more than 200 years after late Ming and early Qing dynasty. Therefore, Shaoguan become one of original areas of Chinese modern mathematics history.