Chinese Remainder Theorem/Historical Note

Historical Note on Chinese Remainder Theorem

The Chinese Remainder Theorem was found in the Sun Tzu Suan Ching of Sun Tzu, who was active in China sometime between $200$ and $500$ C.E (nobody knows exactly when).

The principle is believed to have been used by Chinese calendar makers as far back as $100$ C.E.

It was first proved properly by Qin Jiushao in $1247$.


Sources

  • 1982: P.M. Cohn: Algebra Volume 1 (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 2.3$: Congruences
  • 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chinese remainder theorem
  • 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chinese remainder theorem