A model of making the past service the present and independent innovation — Professor Wu Wen-tsun’s studies in history of mathematics. (Chinese. English summary) Zbl 1212.01004

Li, Wenlin

J. Inn. Mong. Norm. Univ., Nat. Sci. 38, No. 5, 477-482, 490 (2009).

Summary: This paper surveys Professor Wen-tsun’s contribution to the history of mathematics and explains significance of his idea and research work to the development of the history of mathematics in China. Wu’s achievements opens a new epoch and provides some new approaches and methodology for the study of the history of mathematics in China. He sets up The Silk Road Foundation on Mathematics and Astronomy, which plays an important role to encouragement of the study of the mathematical and astronomical relations among East Asia, Arab, and West. He also applies his history study to his mathematics studies and obtains a series of important achievements. Wu is indeed a model scientist of making the past service the present and independent innovation.

MSC:

01A25	History of Chinese mathematics
01A65	Development of contemporary mathematics

Keywords:

Wu Wen-tsun; history of mathematics; Silk Road Foundation; making the past service the present; independent innovation