Mathematicians from China

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Chinese Mathematicians of all time. This list of famous Chinese Mathematicians is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Chinese Mathematicians.

1. #1

   

   Zhang Heng

   78 - 139

   HPI 73.6261 langs

   Zhang Heng was a Chinese astronomer, mathematician, and geographer during the Han Dynasty. He is most famous for his work in astronomy and...Read moreShow less

   Zhang Heng was a Chinese astronomer, mathematician, and geographer during the Han Dynasty. He is most famous for his work in astronomy and mathematics.

2. #2

   

   Liu Hui

   225 - 295

   HPI 69.9036 langs

   Liu Hui is most famous for his book "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art".

3. #3

   

   Zu Chongzhi

   429 - 500

   HPI 69.5735 langs

   Zu Chongzhi is most famous for his contributions to mathematics. He was one of the first mathematicians to use negative numbers, and he...Read moreShow less

   Zu Chongzhi is most famous for his contributions to mathematics. He was one of the first mathematicians to use negative numbers, and he worked on a system of equations that could be solved by both addition and subtraction.

4. #4

   

   Wang Chong

   27 - 97

   HPI 68.4537 langs

   Wang Chong was a Chinese historian who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty. He is most famous for his book, "Lunheng" or "Discourses...Read moreShow less

   Wang Chong was a Chinese historian who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty. He is most famous for his book, "Lunheng" or "Discourses Weaving Together the Past and Present."

5. #5

   

   Xu Guangqi

   1562 - 1633

   HPI 66.3029 langs

   late-Ming-dynasty Chinese politician, Scholar, Lay Catholic leader and Servant of God (*1562 – †1633)

6. #6

   

   Shing-Tung Yau

   b. 1949

   HPI 64.7339 langs

   Chinese mathematician

7. #7

   

   Guo Shoujing

   1231 - 1316

   HPI 64.0927 langs

   Chinese astronomer and mathematician (1231–1316)

8. #8

   

   Yi Xing

   683 - 727

   HPI 63.6621 langs

   8th-century Buddhist monk and astronomer

9. #9

   

   Liu Xin

   50 BC - 23

   HPI 63.4024 langs

   Chinese astronomer, mathematician, historian, librarian and politician (c. 50 BCE-23CE)

10. #10

    

    Shiing-Shen Chern

    1911 - 2004

    HPI 63.1134 langs

    Chinese-American mathematician and poet