Dear Kyndl,

The numbers that we now use come from the Arabic number system, which is considered one of the most significant developments in mathematics. The digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 probably came to Europe during the Middle Ages by Arabian traders and may have first entered Europe through Spain or Italy. Examples of the numbers in Spanish manuscripts date from the 10th century. The system we use, called the base ten system, comes from India through the Arabs. Thus our number system is called the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. The earliest know example dates from India around 250 B.C.

The digit “0” or zero also seems to have been invented in India. In the Arabian numeral system, zero was represented by a dot and is still often represented this way in Arabian writings. Zero is an essential part of the base ten positional system that we use. Positional means that the value of the digit depends on the position in the expression. For example, the “3” in 31 has a different value than the “3” in 310. Notice how important the 0 is. Without it, the value of the number is significantly less. In our positional system, the leftmost digit of a number has the greatest value.

Did you know that thousands of years ago there were many ways to write or recognize numbers? Each individual civilization or group of people had their own system for writing numbers. The ancientEgyptians used special symbols, known as pictographs, to write down numbers more than 3,000 years ago. Later, the Romans developed a system of numerals that used letters from their alphabet rather than special symbols. You’ve probably seen Roman numerals today on clocks or watches, on buildings or on books. Roman numerals consist of the letters I, V, X, L, C, D and M, which represent different numerical values.

Thanks for your question,
Aubie and Dr. Smith