Epitome arithmeticae practicae

work by Clavius

Also known as: “Tongwen suanzhi”

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The Epitome arithmeticae practicae is a work by the mathematician Christopher Clavius. It was published in 1585 and served as a practical guide to arithmetic. The book covered essential mathematical concepts for everyday use, including calculations with fractions, decimals, and the use of the abacus. Clavius's work was influential in disseminating mathematical knowledge during the Renaissance, making complex calculations more accessible to a wider audience, including merchants and students.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Li Zhizao
…Ricci translated his arithmetic primer Epitome arithmeticae practicae (1585; “Selected Arithmetic Methods”) as Tongwen suanzhi (1614). This book systematically introduced European-style mathematical notation, while Li included complementary elements from traditional Chinese mathematics. Li also wrote a short treatise on geometry dictated by Ricci. Together with the Portuguese Jesuit Francisco Furtado…
Read More
…Ricci translated his arithmetic primer Epitome arithmeticae practicae (1585; “Selected Arithmetic Methods”) as Tongwen suanzhi (1614). This book systematically introduced European-style mathematical notation, while Li included complementary elements from traditional Chinese mathematics. Li also wrote a short treatise on geometry dictated by Ricci. Together with the Portuguese Jesuit Francisco Furtado…
Read More