Zhang Qiujian Suanjing

In 656 CE, when mathematics was included in the imperial examinations, these ten outstanding works were selected as textbooks.

Jiuzhang suanshu (The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art) and Sunzi Suanjing (The Mathematical Classic of Sunzi) are two of these texts that precede Zhang Qiujian suanjing.

In Zhang Qiujian suanjing one can find the continuation of the development of mathematics from the earlier two classics.

"Zhang Qiujian suanjing has an important place in the world history of mathematics: it is one of those rare books before AD 500 that manifests the upward development of mathematics fundamentally due to the notations of the numeral system and the common fraction.

The chapter considers several real world problems where computations with fractions appear naturally.

If he had not turned back but continued to chase, find the distance in li before he reached [the thief]."

Here is an example: "Now there is a pit [in the shape of the frustum of a pyramid] with a rectangular base.

In each case, find the number of cocks, hens and chicks bought."

In 1969, Ang Tian Se, a student of University of Malaya, prepared an English translation of Zhang Qiujian Suanjing as part of the MA Dissertation.