8. Zu Chongzhi was one of the greatest mathematicians (数学家) in ancient China. He was born during the Northern and Southern (1)
( dynasty). From a young age, Zu was taught natural science, astronomy (天文学), math and so on. The little boy was (2)
( interest) in all of these subjects, especially in (3)
.
Zu was best known for his calculation (计算) of pi (π). According to the record, he did all the work using nothing but wooden sticks. (4)
took him lots of time to work out the value —(5)
3. 1415926 and 3. 1415927. No one at that time was able to do better than Zu. And now the achievement is still praised by people around the world. In order to remember Zu, some mathematicians suggest (6)
(call) pi"Zu Lv".
Zu was successful not only in math, but also in astronomy. He worked out that a year should be 365. 24281481 days long and created the Daming Calendar. (7)
, government officials at that time did not agree with Zu. The great mathematician (8)
saw his calendar put into use. Almost ten years after his (9)
(die), the new calendar was finally accepted.
Zu was an inventor, too. He once made a vehicle (车辆) (10)
carried a pointer (指针). No matter how the vehicle turned, the pointer always pointed to the south.