Seki Takakazu, His Life and Bibliography

Abstract

Seki Takakazu is a Japanese mathematician in the early period of the Edo era. He is known as the first in the world to study the so-called "resultants and determinants." However, one had not known so much about his life before the author's investigation started about two years ago. On the occasion of the 300th posthumous anniversary of Seki, the author has found some significant records and facts concerning his family, especially his adoptive father and his first career. Now it is possible to write a "Curriculum Vitae of Seki Takakazu." Moreover, his professional career in the Kōfu fief is now clarified by a document added in proof at the end of the paper. © Springer Japan 2013.