中文数学术语“代数”的起源

中图分类号：G63；N09 DOI:10.12339/j.issn. 1673-8578.2026.02.048

The Origin of the Chinese Mathematical Term“Daishu"（Algebra）//NIU Weiqiang

Abstract:Byexaminingtheoriginof the Chinese mathematicalterm“daishu”（algebra),itis evident thatthe prominentlateQing DynastymathematicianLiShanlan,togetherwiththeLondonmisionaryJosephEdkins,hadalreadyusedtheterm“daishu”toreferto “algebra”inteir1852translationofZhongxue.The1853publicationChineseandWesternAlmanac,editedbyJosephdkinsincludedanappendixitledOutlinesofNewLearningontheIestigationsofTings,co-translatedwiththeChnesescholarWangTaoIn thistext,theter“daisu”appearedmultipletimesidiscusionsonthehistoryofWesternmathematics.Thismarksthearlistrecordeduseof“daishu”asaformalmathematicalterminChineseacademicliterature.Thesefindingssupport thewidelyacceptedview in Chineseacademiccircles thatLiShanlanwastheoriginatorof theterm“daishu”inChinese mathematics,refuting Zhang Bisheng's claimthatAlxanderWyliefirstintroducedthetraslationinteprefaceofcompendumofArithmeticin53.Furthermoritevises thecommonlycitedassertionthatLi Shanlanfirsttranslated“algebra”as“daishu’in1859,aversionthathasbeen extensivelyquo ted in middle school mathematics textbooks in China.

Keywords:daishu;algebra;Li Shanlan;history ofmathematics

0引言

随着时代的发展，数学史与数学文化的重要性引起了越来越多教育工作者的重视，数学史与数学文化融入中小学数学教科书和教育教学已经成为数学教育界的共识。（剩余6162字）