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Why were the Ten Classics of Mathematics used to train Chinese officials?

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East Asian mathematics Counting boards and markers, or counting rods, were used in China to solve systems of linear equations. This is an example from the 1st century ce.

The "Ten Classics of Mathematics" were used to train Chinese officials because they were designated as official textbooks for the civil examination system and the imperial office of mathematics.1

During the 7th century, a group led by the imperial mathematician Li Chunfeng compiled these works—which included foundational texts like The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art—to serve as the standard manual for training government administrators. These texts were essential because they provided the mathematical knowledge required for civil duties, such as surveying land, calculating labor needs for construction, determining storage capacities for granaries, and managing tax levies based on grain ratios.1

The survival of these ancient mathematical works is largely attributed to their status as official books within this educational and administrative framework.1