Yang Hui

Yang Hui, a prominent mathematician and writer of the Southern Song and Yuan dynasties, was born around the year 1238 in Qiantang, which is present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang. His contributions to mathematics have left a lasting legacy, particularly in the realms of magic squares, magic circles, and the binomial theorem.

Best known for his work on Yang Hui's triangle, which is equivalent to what is now recognized as Pascal's triangle, Yang Hui's insights were built upon the earlier discoveries of his predecessor, Jia Xian. His innovative approach to mathematical concepts has made him a significant figure in the history of mathematics.

Throughout his career, Yang Hui was a contemporary of other notable mathematicians, including Qin Jiushao. Together, they contributed to the rich tapestry of mathematical thought during a transformative period in Chinese history.