Origin history and application of zero
By Narayan Dhakal
Subject: Discrete Mathematics and Problem
Solving (515)
Facilitator: Sandip Dhungana
Date: 8 Sep. 2024
What is Zero
● zero is a number and digit with no value or a null value
● it is a empty as the space
● it is an integer and even number
● it is neither positive or negative
● zero is not nothing in every case (0 degree celsius means not
that there is not a temperature )
● but it is absence of something
● for example 12 is divided by 4 remainder is zero
History of Zero
We can say that in ancient period zero was invented for counting purpose only
but now …
Here are some history of zero with different civilization
Egyptian numerals :
● They used in ancient Egypt from
around 3000 BC
● It was system of numeration based on
multiple of 10
Babylonian Numerals
● This system appeared
around 2000 BC
● It's the first known positional
numeral system
● It was positional based
60 systems
Greek Numerals
● It is the system of writing number
using letters of Greek alphabet
● These are based on powers of 10
● It developed around 475 BC
Roman Number System
Maya Numerals
● Maya Numeral system was the system to represent numbers and calendar dates in
Maya civilization
● This system is base 20 positional numeral system
Aryabhata (476-550) Number system
● THis number system is based on Sanskrit and rig veda
● He was the first man invented zero as a symbol
● His number system had not zero, as positional system
but used to denote empty place
Brahmagupta (598-670)
● Brahmagupta was the first man to give
rules to compute (operation) with zero
● Laid the rules for addition, subtraction
and multiplication of zero, but was confused by division
● Zero + a negative = a negative
● zero + a positive = a positive.
● Zero + zero = zero.
● Zero – a negative = a positive (0-(-5)=5)
● zero – a positive = a negative.
● Zero – zero = zero.
● Zero x anything = zero.
How word Zero developed ?
● India - Sunya
● Middle east - Sirf
● Italy - Zefero
● French - Zer’o
● English - Zero
Hindu Arabic number system
● Arabic people recognised the value of Hindu system
● Our own number system composed of the 10 symbols 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 is
called the Hindu Arabic system. This is a base 10 (decimal) system. Since
the values increase by powers of 10 furthermore this system is positional
● Hindu Arabic number system including zero were not accepted in first stage
but slowly the number accepted all around the world
Applications of Zero
● For Algebraic equation solve
● Without zero not just mathematics but all other
branches of science would have struggle
for clear understanding
● without zero binary number system and computer
System are not possible because we use Binary System in computer
● Appears in the middle of the number line
● without zero there is no calculus that means there is no engineering and
astrology
● Zero represent the boundary between the positive and negative number
zero is considered as Natural starting point or origin.
Weak points of Zero
● Multiplication with Zero is not related with our daily life. Eg
● There are many equation in algebra which solution is controversial
For example
Let a = b = 1
b2 = ab
a2 = a 2
a2 – b2 = a2- ab
(a+b)(a-b) = a(a-b)
a+b = a that implies b = 0
But we start a = b = 1
References
Menninger, K. (2013). Number words and number symbols: A cultural history of numbers. Courier Corporation.
Ramsundar, P. (2022). Resolving Discrepancies in the Exodus Population of Israel. American Journal of Biblical
Theology, 23, 20.
Van der Waerden, B. L. (1980). On pre-Babylonian mathematics I. Archive for History of Exact Sciences, 1-25.
Golden, C., & Scherer, A. K. (2013). Territory, trust, growth, and collapse in Classic period Maya kingdoms. Current
Anthropology, 54(4), 397-435.
Thank You
Any Questions
