Sinpyeonsanhakgyemong Gwonjung

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1217

Category

Books & Records

Designated year

1995

Location

서대문구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 서대문구 충정로9길 10-10 (충정로2가) (재)현담문고

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

This arithmetic book was first published by Ju Se-geol in the Yuan Dynasty of China. Later, in Korea, it was published during the early Joseon Dynasty in Eulhae-ja type. It consists of 3 volumes in 3 books. During the Goryeo Dynasty, children of high-ranking officials learned arithmetic from teachers and assistants of Gukjagam (highest national educational institute) and Gyeongsayukhak (educational system of Gukjagam). During the Joseon Dynasty, the arithmetic book was transmitted from generation to generation by people who were selected by chwijae (kind of test to choose talented men). This book seems to have been published during the reign of King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty. According to Gyeongguk daejeon (national code of the Joseon Dynasty), the content of this book, along with Yanghwi sanbeop (Arithmetic Book Compiled by Yang Hui) and Sangmyeong sanbeop (Book of Arithmetic), was included in tests that were offered to select people who could learn arithmetic. The included contents were the dialogue explanations about the various measurement units used at that time, such as how to calculate the shape and area of farmland as well as the unit of grains and crops. Even though this book was originally a Chinese arithmetic book and was transmitted only in Korea, it is considered the most valuable book related to arithmetic dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. It provides important information in understanding the measurement system of the Joseon Dynasty.