The calculations involved are enormous and daunting. It would be much quicker if calculus was used.
With an unchanging complexion, Gu Jiao responded, "I've heard it from the students in the women's school."
There are arithmetic classes in women's schools as well, but Xiao Liulang was not very clear about the specific contents.
However, he knew that Gu Jiao was extremely intelligent, and if she had indeed heard of it, she would probably not have forgotten the details.
Gu Jiao asked again, "What prompted you to consider doing these calculations all of a sudden? Is it part of your assignments from the Hanlin Academy?"
"No." Xiao Liulang shook his head. He hesitated for a moment, and then recounted the incidents involving the little monk Jingkong and Master Sun. His main aim was to ascertain if Gu Jiao was the one who had taught Jingkong the succession rates and those arithmetic problems.