Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

7th-Century Multiplication Table Identified in Japan
Archaeology Magazine ^ | September 6, 2024 | editors / unattributed

Posted on 09/10/2024 9:41:47 AM PDT by SunkenCiv

The Asahi Shimbun reports that scientists from Japan's Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties have identified the function of a six-inch strip of wood unearthed in 2001 at a government workers' office in the ancient capital of Fujiwara-kyo. Infrared imaging of the object revealed that the fragment is part of a 1,300-year-old multiplication table written in kanji. The entire multiplication table with all of the equations written out was likely about 13 inches long, explained team member Kuniya Kuwata. In this section, which was likely from the upper-right corner of the document, the equations were written in five rows from right to left and top to bottom in a style used by China's Qin and Han dynasties, from about the third century B.C. to the third century A.D. Multiplication tables previously discovered in Japan have only had two to three rows, Kuwata explained. The office workers would have needed to know the multiplication table, in addition to reading and writing, the researchers concluded.

(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: abacus; asia; bobbydarin; china; epigraphyandlanguage; godsgravesglyphs; japan; math
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last
To: Hammerhead

What sort of number system did Japan have?

Try multiplying VI x IX to get LIV


21 posted on 09/10/2024 11:00:29 AM PDT by scrabblehack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
We had to learn up to 12 times 12 when I was in third grade too.

Today's "Pluggers" cartoon is somewhat related.

22 posted on 09/10/2024 11:37:53 AM PDT by Verginius Rufus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Hammerhead

Your post makes no sense.


23 posted on 09/10/2024 11:44:57 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Wow Japanese figured out a multiplication table centuries ago. Big freaking deal. It’s common sense


24 posted on 09/10/2024 3:02:36 PM PDT by Hammerhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Hammerhead

Since you have no interest in the topic, your continued trolling makes you look foolish.


25 posted on 09/10/2024 5:15:40 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

So for somebody to have an interest in a topic that interest Hass to be positive at all times. What if somebody has a negative interest in a topic. Which I do on this particular topic. To state or believe that this is some magical find that the ancient Japanese knew how to do multiplication is absolutely absurd. A damn caveman can figure out 2×2 = 4


26 posted on 09/10/2024 6:53:22 PM PDT by Hammerhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Hammerhead

You continue to look foolish.


27 posted on 09/10/2024 6:54:33 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

I continue to be 100% correct


28 posted on 09/11/2024 8:22:09 AM PDT by Hammerhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Hammerhead

No, you continue to look foolish.


29 posted on 09/11/2024 5:02:21 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
In 3rd grade we had to memorize the multiplication tables all the way to 12x12.

What? The kids don't have to do it any more?

30 posted on 09/11/2024 5:06:06 PM PDT by ladyjane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson