祖冲之(公元429年～500年),字文远,今河北涞水县人,南北朝时代的大数学家、思想家。他推算出的圆周率π值在3.1415926～3.1415927之间,这是当时最精确的数值。他著有《辍术》《九章术义注》等数学著作。在天文学方面,他编制的《大明历》率先考虑到岁差,他提出的日月运行周期数据在当时是最准确的。他还曾改造指南针,做水碓磨、千里船等,做工都非常精细。这样一位了不起的人物,并不是什么高等学府造就出来的,他主要受益于家庭教育,特别是他开明的爷爷祖 Zu Chongzhi (429-500 AD), the word is far, this Hebei Huangshui County, the great mathematicians and thinkers in the Northern and Southern Dynasties era. He calculated pi value of 3.1415926 ~ 3.1415927, which is the most accurate value at that time. He is author of mathematical terminology such as “Dropout” and “Nine Chapters of Meaning”. In astronomy, he compiled the “Daming Calendar” took the lead in considering the precession, he proposed the sun and the moon running cycle data was the most accurate at the time. He has also transformed the compass, Shuigua mill, Trinidad and other boats, workmanship is very fine. Such a great man, not what the institutions of higher learning created, he benefited mainly from family education, especially his enlightened grandfather ancestor