Chinese

Fraction
Reducing
Near the beginning of the first century AD, about 2000 years ago, the Chinese
mathematical text called the Chiu Chang was written. No one knows for sure who wrote
the text, which contains nine chapters of mathematical topics important to Chinese society
at the time. Problems and solutions are presented in the text, and since the answers can be
difficult to understand, different Chinese mathematicians over the years have supplied
commentary and helped to make the problems and solutions clearer.
The first chapter, called Fang thien (Land Surveying), is mostly concerned with calculating
the areas of fields (thien) using the basic unit of measurement, the fang (square unit). This
chapter also discusses methods for working with fractions, including a way for simplifying
(reducing) them. If you have a reducible fraction called m/n, the rule from the Chinese
text for reducing m/n is this:
If both numbers can be halved, then halve them. Otherwise set down the
denominator below the numerator, and subtract the smaller number from the
greater number. Continue this process until the common divisor, teng, is obtained.
Simplify the original fraction by dividing both numbers by teng.

Here is an example from the Chiu Chang to illustrate the Chinese fraction reducing
method:
Simplify the fraction 49/91.
Solution: The numbers cannot be halved, so we continue with the procedure. Set down the
denominator below the numerator, then subtract the smaller number from the greater
number:
49
91

subtract and get 42.

Now follow the process, subtracting the smaller number from the greater number until you
reach a common divisor.
49
91

49
42

7
42

7
35

7
28

7
21

7
14

7
7

teng is 7.

The common divisor, or teng, is 7, so divide the numerator and denominator of 49/91 by 7
to get the simplified fraction 7/13.

Your Project:
Simplify the following fractions using the Chinese fraction reducing method for finding
teng. Show clearly the steps of your procedure.
1.

51/85

2.

36/144

3.

77/660

Reference: Chinese Fraction Reducing

Joseph, George Gheverghese. (1991). The Crest of the Peacock: Non-European Roots of
Mathematics. London: Penguin Books.