Great Song

With the Skywatcher, Shen Kuo revised the calendar much faster.And this time his ambition is great, and he is unwilling to abide by the old rules to formulate the calendar.And I want to make a brand new method that only relies on the sun to divide.

Since ancient times, the solar terms have been determined by the "Ping Qi Method" in the calendar, that is, the sun's orbit is divided into 24 parts, and the 24 solar terms are used to divide spring, summer, autumn and winter to guide the farming time.However, what determines the month is the "Ding Shuo Method", which divides twelve months according to the moon.In this way, there will inevitably be conflicts between the two. It is necessary to "set the profit" once every two or three years and add a "leap month" to prevent the season and month from getting out of touch.

But in this way, the calendar is not only cumbersome, but also often deviates, which has a great impact on farming.Since the earth revolves around the sun, the "fixing method" of observing the moon phase is not very meaningful.Why not just divide the year by the sun?

As soon as this idea came out, Shen Kuo cheered up.In his opinion, there is no need for 24 solar terms at all, and only twelve solar terms can perfectly divide a year.Set the beginning of spring as the beginning of the year, and the end of the year as the great cold, with one solar term per month, which can not only guide the farming time, but also accurately calculate the year, without setting a leap month.

More importantly, if he had thought of this method earlier, he would not be sure that the emperor would switch to the new calendar.After all, it is something that has been used for thousands of years, and it also contains the implication of "integrating yin and yang", so how can it be easily changed?But now, he has some confidence.As long as the theory of earthquakes can be carried out and everyone knows that the earth revolves around the sun, it is not impossible to get rid of the lunar calendar and use only the solar calendar.

Because of this ambition, in addition to studying atmospheric pressure, Shen Kuo has recently devoted himself to the calendar, which can also be called sleepless nights.When he heard the news of Mr. Tongxuan's visit, he was very surprised: "Ling Xiaozi is here? Hurry up!"

He often discussed knowledge with Zhen Qiong when he was resting, but it was the first time that the other party found Si Tianjian.Could it be that something big happened?

Zhen Qiong didn't have such complicated thoughts, she just wanted to share the gains with Shen Kuo as soon as possible, and that's all before Xiu Mu.

After being invited into the room, he looked around curiously.I saw a lot of papers falling on the desk in the office, and four or five whiteboards hung on the wall, all of which were traces of charcoal pencils.

Only then did Shen Kuo realize that this appearance is not suitable for entertaining guests, so he coughed awkwardly: "I've been a little busy these days, and if I have time to clean it up in the future, I'm making you laugh. I'll let someone clean it up..."

Zhen Qiong didn't care, waved her hand and said: "Don't bother, my alchemy room is even messier than this. I came to see Brother Cunzhong today to discuss something. I discovered a new theory, and I intend to add a formula for the good fortune school .”

Upon hearing this, Shen Kuo became interested: "What theory is so important? What is the formula?"

Doesn't the formula mean the norm?What does it have to do with alchemy?

Zhen Qiong did not pretend to be a joke, and repeated his discovery of "gathering yuan" and "eliminating yuan", and immediately said: "introducing vitality into alchemy can explain many problems, or it can point directly to the way. It is necessary to formulate a formula to explain this theory. The so-called fixed formula is the constant principle between heaven and earth, it must be concise and clear, it can stand the test of future generations, and it is convenient for preaching and teaching. Just like the Pythagorean formula."

As soon as the word "Pythagorean Dingshi" came out, Shen Kuo immediately understood the meaning of Zhen Qiong's words.Hooking three strands, four strings and five, was proposed by Shang Gao as early as the Shang Dynasty. Later, Zhao Shuang proved it with a diagram of strings, and Liu Hui proved it again with a diagram of Qingzhu's entry and exit.As long as it is brought into this fixed formula, the side length of the triangle can be calculated.It's just that Shen Kuo didn't expect that Zhen Qiong, a Taoist priest, would also introduce the fixed formula into the way of alchemy.

Curiosity suddenly flourished, and Shen Kuo couldn't help but asked: "There is a fixed formula for counting, which may be understood, but is it a bit redundant to bring alchemy into the fixed formula, and how does it benefit alchemy?"

Isn't the research of alchemy the change of all things, but the root of good fortune?What is the effect of introducing this formula for calculation?

"This will involve another theorem of the good fortune school, 'all things ebb and flow, and the total amount remains unchanged'. This is what my ancestors got, but they have known the theory for a long time, but they can't deduce the reason. Pointing to the key point, if you bring it in when refining alchemy and Qi in the future, wouldn't it be possible to detect the source of change and then speculate on the resulting thing?" Zhen Qiong did not keep it private, explained it clearly, and said, " What's more, it's not just about counting and good fortune, brother Cunzhong, the air pressure you studied may also be expressed by this method."

Shen Kuo was stunned, this was something he had never thought about before, and he couldn't help but said: "How can air pressure be calculated? What's the use of calculating it?"

"Why not? The atmospheric pressure should also have a value, just like a Pythagorean. As long as we find the law and bring it into the formula, wouldn't it be easy for future generations to calculate? Of course, I am not very familiar with this matter." I understand, that’s roughly what it means. As for whether it’s useful or not, there are always unchanging principles in the world, and the deduction of formulas and theorems is just to seek the way and the truth of the world!”

Zhen Qiong really doesn't know about Gewu, but she also knows that Gewupai is the one who likes to use fixed formulas the most, and when she finds something, she often quarrels and no one will admit defeat.In comparison, the established formula of arithmetic is much simpler. As long as it can be proved and no flaws can be found, it will be famous forever.Even alchemists like them have to use it from time to time.

Zhen Qiong said these words easily, but Shen Kuo seemed to hear a thunder, and his legs almost went limp.Reluctantly supporting the table, he murmured: "This is seeking the Tao, not practicing skills. To think so..."

This is very different from what Shen Kuo has learned all his life.For people in the world, counting is to deal with things around them.Just like "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic", the questions are listed and the answers are given, which are "answers" and "shu said".Like multiplication tables and abacus formulas, you only need to use arithmetic to solve difficult problems.Even the interstitial accumulation technique and the converging circle technique he studied are for the purpose of proving stack accumulation and arc length, which are "techniques" used in daily life.However, can these things rise to a higher level?As Zhen Qiong said, pointing directly to those eternal "truths"?

Maybe, it's doable.Shen Kuo is proficient in astronomy, and now he has a sky-gazing mirror, and his eyes on the world have naturally changed.It's like the earth going around the sun, like air pressure and vacuum, which are clearly in front of your eyes, but you can't distinguish them intuitively.If you want to get to the root of it, you need sharp eyes, wisdom and perseverance to get rid of obstacles.Just like the Pythagorean formula, it seems simple, but actually contains the most truth, so whether it is the discovery of Shang Gao or the verification of Liu Hui, they have become masters handed down from generation to generation!

Can he have knowledge handed down from generation to generation?If the new calendar can be implemented, it will definitely be handed down.But beyond that, he wanted to leave something more.Something far more profound and more important than the gap accumulation technique and the confluence technique!

Seeing Shen Kuo's expression, Zhen Qiong knew that he had listened to what she said, and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.There is a specialization in the art industry, so it is okay to let him make alchemy, but let him ponder the formulas, and even the theorems of mathematics and Gewu, it is a headache.An omnipotent guy like Shen Kuo is more suitable for researching these.

After explaining this, he remembered his reason for coming, and hurriedly said: "By the way, let's not talk about these long-term ones. I heard that the Taixue is going to start a mathematics department recently. My Han Daguan said that the scholars don't have much foundation in mathematics. , it’s better to change the textbook and use it as a teaching method. This thing is also taught in my family’s free school, and the young children learn it very quickly.”

This seems to be different from the "fixed formula" that Zhen Qiong said earlier, Shen Kuo frowned: "What is the formula, is it different from the fixed formula?"

"Of course it's different. Formulas are axioms, and formulas are just a tool for expressing ideas. It's easier to write them out than to describe them in words." Zhen Qiong was not polite, dragged the whiteboard aside, and started to write, "It's like an equation. It takes a long list, but when it falls on paper, it can be summed up in one line."

As he said that, he directly listed an equation, with symbols and numbers, and algebraic A, B, and C, and explained: "Here, A, B, and C are unknown numbers. Just list the formula and directly bring in the numbers. This method is simple. It is clear, even children can understand it at a glance. There is also multiplication and division, in addition to memorizing formulas, you can also calculate step by step."

A line of calculations appeared on the whiteboard.There are complex ones such as equations or fractional formulas, and there are simple vertical formulas of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The expressions are somewhat similar to calculation chips.Shen Kuo couldn't help but look straight at the eyes. When they discussed the problem before, they seldom listed the calculation process.The numbers of the two are not bad, and they can get accurate numbers basically by mental calculation.If the value is too large, just use a chip or an abacus, why use such a rigorous calculation?However, this stupid method also has its advantages.

Shen Kuo couldn't help but praised: "This method is intuitive, and my gap product technique seems to be able to be expressed in formulas. There are also some astronomical algorithms. If there are formulas, it will be easier to sort out the thinking. Using your self-created code, it will get twice the result with half the effort! "

Having known Zhen Qiong for such a long time, he is of course used to the other party's frequently used numerical expressions.Compared with the codes used by ordinary businesses, it is more intuitive and concise, and it is refreshing to put it in the formula!

Zhen Qiong snorted: "Aren't these numbers just for calculations? If it's too difficult, how can people learn to count?"

This was handed down from the Great Zhao, from the emperor to the Li Shu, they all used it when learning to count.It should be able to be implemented in the Song Dynasty, right?

Shen Kuo nodded immediately, because he was extremely talented, so he was more sensitive to these.Without hesitation, he said: "I'm going to find a few doctors of mathematics, reorganize the "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic", sort out the formulas, and add formulas. If it can be done, I will advise the emperor. Let the scholars of Taixue and Wuxue Use this method first!"

It is Su Song's proposal to offer mathematics in the school now, how can he fall behind?As for the formula mentioned by Zhen Qiong, he now has some ideas about atmospheric pressure.If you can continue to study along this line of thought, maybe you can also produce achievements that will last forever!

Zhen Qiong was also very satisfied with this answer.Now even brother Miao's orders have been completed, and later he will ask Shen Kuo to help out a few sets of test papers for Han Xia to take home and practice, and everyone will be happy.

The author has something to say: The Twelve Qi Calendar is indeed an invention of Shen Kuo, and it is indeed not recognized by the world.It was found that the "Shaw Calendar" 1000 years later is very similar, and it has more solar term guidance than the Gregorian calendar.

Shen Kuo has a lot of mathematical insights, but I can’t even read the information orz write it blindly, just know the general meaning orz