When you look at our own 2 and 3 today, you can see how the 2 was initially two lines which get joined with a path through the middle, and the 3 composed of 3 lines connected.Īfter the number 3, different symbols were used to represent these numbers. Over time these lines began to be connected (and the one line rotated 90 degrees so it would be vertical). The symbols for 1, 2 and 3 in the Brahmi scripts were initially lines: one line for 1, two lines for 2 and 3 lines for 3, drawn horizontally. It is from the Brahmi script that our numbers originate. There were two significant scripts: the Brahmi and the Kharosthi scripts. The Brahmasphutasiddhanta (Opening of the Universe) was composed in 628 CE and demonstrated a full set of Indian numerals including 0.Īlthough the 0 did not become visible until 400 CE, Indian scripts for numerals first start appearing in the 1st century. (The Maya were using 0 before this time, and were the first to use it.)īy the 7th century CE, a fully developed place value decimal system was in place. They were undoubtedly using such a system in 400 CE, where we first find inscriptions of 0. When precisely the Hindus first began using a place value decimal system which incorporated zero is not certain. Aside from the Maya of Central America, the only group to develop the idea of zero was the Hindu peoples of India. The vital element in making this system work is the development of the concept of zero. (Ones, then tens, then hundreds, thousands and so on). Each place value in the system is ten times the value of the one before it. Then we go up to the ones place through 9 before moving to the next 10s place (20). We count 1 through 9, then move to the next level with 10. Our system is also decimal because it is by increments of 10. Rather than writing 500 + 30 + 6, our system allows us to write it just like 536. The 3 stands for 30, and the 6 is in the ones place, is only 6. Because we use a place value system, we know that the 5 does not stand just for 5, it means 500. It incorporates three numerals: 5, 3 and 6. What that means is that not only the number but the placement of the number is significant. The number system that we use today is a place value decimal system. They have changed greatly over the centuries, passing first to the Arabs of the Middle East and finally to Europe in the Middle Ages, and are now the most commonly used numbers throughout the world. We call them Arabic Numerals, but our numbers actually find their origins in the history of the Hindus of India.
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