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Number System

The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) significantly contributed to mathematics through the development of the concepts of zero and the decimal system. The earliest recorded use of zero as a numeral was by Brahmagupta in 628 CE, which revolutionized calculations and spread to other cultures. The Hindu-Arabic numeral system, fully developed in India, simplified arithmetic and became the foundation of modern mathematics, influencing various fields globally.

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Soumyadip Maity
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81 views2 pages

Number System

The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) significantly contributed to mathematics through the development of the concepts of zero and the decimal system. The earliest recorded use of zero as a numeral was by Brahmagupta in 628 CE, which revolutionized calculations and spread to other cultures. The Hindu-Arabic numeral system, fully developed in India, simplified arithmetic and became the foundation of modern mathematics, influencing various fields globally.

Uploaded by

Soumyadip Maity
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) has played a foundational role in the development of

mathematics, particularly in the conceptualization and dissemination of the zero and decimal
system. Here’s an overview of their contributions:

1. Zero (Shunya):

The concept of zero as both a numeral and a placeholder was first recorded in India. The
earliest known use of zero as a symbol dates back to 628 CE by the Indian mathematician
Brahmagupta, in his text Brahmasphutasiddhanta. He established rules for using zero in
calculations, treating it as a number in its own right rather than just a placeholder.

 Brahmagupta's Rules:
o He formulated operations involving zero, such as:
 Zero added to a number remains the same.
 A number subtracted from itself is zero.
 Zero times any number is zero.
 He also attempted to describe division by zero, though his results were
less clear.

This revolutionary concept of zero spread through the Arab world and was later transmitted
to Europe, shaping modern mathematics.

2. Decimal System:

The decimal (base-10) number system, including the use of digits 0 through 9, was fully
developed in India. This system, called the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, is the most
widely used number system today. It simplified calculations and allowed for a more
systematic approach to arithmetic, compared to earlier numeral systems like Roman
numerals.

 The Aryabhatiya, composed by Aryabhata in the 5th century CE, illustrates early
Indian use of the decimal system. Aryabhata used place-value notation and positional
arithmetic, which is central to the decimal system.
 The Bakshali Manuscript, an ancient Indian mathematical text, is considered one of
the earliest surviving instances showing the use of a dot to represent zero and
positional notation for large numbers.

3. Transmission to Other Cultures:

The Indian numeral system was passed to the Islamic world through trade and scholarship,
notably through the works of the Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi. His Latinized name
gave rise to the term "algorithm." From the Islamic world, this knowledge reached Europe
during the medieval period, becoming the foundation of modern mathematics.

Importance of the Decimal System and Zero:

 The zero provided the concept of a true "null value" and revolutionized calculations in
mathematics, astronomy, and commerce.
 The positional decimal system allowed for simple representation and manipulation of
large numbers, enabling advances in fields like algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

India’s innovation in these areas significantly shaped the way numbers and arithmetic are
understood globally, making them indispensable tools in modern science and technology.

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