History of Mathematics : Who Invented the Number Zero?

The number zero was invented in the last 1,000 years to form a transition between positive and negative numbers. Discover the origin of zero with tips from a mathematics instructor in this free video on math history.

Expert: Steve Jones
Bio: Steve Jones is an experienced mathematics and science teacher.
Filmmaker: Paul Volniansky

[tsgrishi]

ARYABHATTA INDIAN MATHEMATICIAN INVENTED ZERO

[Rianzq]

ARYAVATTA THE REAL INVENTOR OF ZERO DIGIT !

WITHOUT ZERO, OUR WORLD IS NOTHING NOW !

[inchsradius]

Eh, it was invented by the Indians to handle large numbers and was adopted by the Arab's who spread it to the West. The west only really adopted it once Christianity allowed money lenders to charge interest as it aided in accounting. 

[HermitintheRain]

the number 0 was developed by the Hindus. by no later than 200 A.D, speculated to have been due to the influence of Alexandrian Greek civilization; who in return contributed what has become the commonly used number symbols of 1-9. They also were the first to create negative numbers. All of which were eventually adopted into Arabic mathematical works; which eventually found its way into Europe. (Mathematics for the Nonmathematician-Morris Kline)

[JBofBrisbane]

Zero is the only difference between counting numbers and whole numbers, both of which are only positive. At least, that's what I was taught in primary school maths.

[Narasamsha]

Zero is first come in rigveda, where there exist nothing only shunya exist.And this shunya refer as the Atman or omkar.ten originated 1st brahman and proceed.thus sunya is already a philosophical back bone of vedas.Then in the time of gupta period Aryabhatta, brahma gupta used it in arithmatic and quadratic equation.

[piyaltaru]

@SamuelJoaodaSuica Correct me if I'm wrong, so your theory goes like this: A group of fair skinned (present day european) pleople from central Asia invaded India, and another group moved on to Europe, right? So how come the same group of people became savages in Europe and so well cultured in India?

[piyaltaru]

@SamuelJoaodaSuica And hence, to get back to the point - the whites (or invaders if thats what you like to call them) - did not teach Indians the concept of zero. In fact "zero" and "infinity" are both the results of Indian spiritual philosophy (not a white's cup of tea, I presume) - used to describe certain aspects/attributes of the supreme consciousness (or God). It was only later they were inducted in maths - since Vedas define it as "the highest form of abstraction human mind can imagine".

[GuoSlice]

@sanchat1000 i hope you know that I didn't upload this...

[lifes]

i heard the greeks had the number zero at about 300 bc?

[piyaltaru]

@SamuelJoaodaSuica Dear dear, first you tank about the "proven link" and then you want to deny it when it works to your disadvantage in an argument! And I'm sorry to say, its not my version. If you're really interested, I'll get back to you with the exact paper published from a German University. Just send me you email ID.

[piyaltaru]

@SamuelJoaodaSuica About the genetic studies, you'll have to do some research yourself. And yes, its true that skin colour does not determine a race. But genes do influence complexion - and they are not completely dictated by local climatic conditions. And the 'proven link' that you talk about - actually has indicated an exodus in exactly a direction opposite to one you assume.

[piyaltaru]

@SamuelJoaodaSuica Well I don't agree with this one. Europe never suppressed India in terms of culture. Of course, the moved way ahead in terms of technology. But that is not how "advancement of a civilization" is measured from the indian perspective. India has been the keeper of the Vedas, The Upanishads, all the scriptural knowledge, highest forms of art etc. So its not only silly but also ridiculous to call Europe more culturally advanced!

[edomarr]

Babylonian, Indian and Mayans came up with the number zero independently.

[rockroll]

@supertramp6233 lol Nice lie . Arabic numbers are Hindu numbers. Algebra was invented by a Hindu Bhramagupta not the Persian who copied his work.

[piyaltaru]

@SamuelJoaodaSuica And your understanding of the word "Aryan" is absolutely appalling! Do you even have the faintest inkling where this work came from? It is the Anglicization of the SANSKRIT work "Aarya" - which means "noble". Not as in a "ruling class" or "landlord" but as in "noble of character". And NO, in Sanskrit, it NOT used to refer to your mythical "Indo-Europians". This word It found its way to west from Max Muller's works - who was a great Sanskrit scholar.

[ancientphoenixians]

I'm sure that guy was talking about India and not Arabia..

[myme]

really ppl are fighting over the zero no one cares because if it wasnt that place eventually it will be another. ppl should never talk about the credits of the past and say yes we did it. no one today know the ppl who invented the zero. so as a peom says in amabic do not say my parents or grandparents did that only talk about what you did. ppl dont care about what others did just prove what you can do.

[anarchycastro]

You must have a superiority complex...and it isn't due.

[piyaltaru]

@SamuelJoaodaSuica Wow! Thats ever more marvelous! Now they all had darker skins and their fairer 'purer' cousins remained ignorant!!