Mathematical Treasures of Japan in the Edo Period: Determinants

Seki Takakazu (c.1642-1708), the leading mathematician of the Edo Period (1603-1867) in Japan, is credited with developing a theory of mathematical determinants for solving systems of linear equations. Kaifuku dai no ho is a page of an existing manuscript illustrating Takakazu’s methods of setting up and working with determinants.

These images are presented through the kind cooperation of the National Diet Library, Japan, and are used with permission. They were obtained from the library’s digital gallery exhibit, Japanese Mathematics in the Edo Period, where a complete examination and viewing of the item presented above can be found.

Index to Mathematical Treasures