Physics Project #1: The History of Zero Jacob Suydam Quan Nguyen Jonathan De La Cruz

Life Before Zero Ancient Attitudes Ancient Attitudes Math was not used for abstract concepts that it is used for today. Ancient civilians only concerned themselves with concrete ideals Math was not used for abstract concepts that it is used for today. Ancient civilians only concerned themselves with concrete ideals They did not really have to worry about “zero” objects or negative numbers when doing math. They did not really have to worry about “zero” objects or negative numbers when doing math.

Life Before Zero Babylonia Babylonia Had a place holder system without zero for over 1000 years. Had a place holder system without zero for over 1000 years. Until 400BC, they did not distinguish between 2106 and 216. (it was all contextual) Until 400BC, they did not distinguish between 2106 and 216. (it was all contextual) Place holder was a wedge ('') instead of a zero. (ex. 21 '' 6) Place holder was a wedge ('') instead of a zero. (ex. 21 '' 6)

Life Before Zero Other placeholders existed, often varying in the amount of “hooks”, depending on cultural influence. Other placeholders existed, often varying in the amount of “hooks”, depending on cultural influence. One universal occurrence: The placeholder would never be on the end. (216 '' for 2160 never existed, it was interpreted based on context.) One universal occurrence: The placeholder would never be on the end. (216 '' for 2160 never existed, it was interpreted based on context.)

Life Before Zero The Greeks The Greeks Did not make use of placeholders, as most mathematical thought went towards geometry (Did not need to name their numbers) Merchants were the only ones who recorded numbers, and did not need a new notation.

Invention of Zero The Mayans: The Mayans: By 665 CE (AD) the Mayans used a place-value number system to base 20 with a symbol for zero. However their use of zero goes back further than this and was in use before they introduced the place-valued number system. This is a remarkable achievement but sadly did not influence other peoples. By 665 CE (AD) the Mayans used a place-value number system to base 20 with a symbol for zero. However their use of zero goes back further than this and was in use before they introduced the place-valued number system. This is a remarkable achievement but sadly did not influence other peoples.

Invention of Zero India India Zero was used as a placeholder and as an empty value. Zero was used as a placeholder and as an empty value. Aryabhata (500AD) Aryabhata (500AD) Used the word “kha” for position, which was later the word for zero First recorded usage of zero would be in 876AD. First recorded usage of zero would be in 876AD.

Invention of Zero Rules of Zero: Rules of Zero: Brahmagupta: Brahmagupta: 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; zero – a positive = a negative. Zero – zero = zero. Zero – zero = zero. Zero x anything = zero. Zero x anything = zero.

Invention of Zero Popularizing Zero: Popularizing Zero: al-Khwarizmi’s book: On the Hindu Art of Reckoning. al-Khwarizmi’s book: On the Hindu Art of Reckoning. First in what is now Iraq to use zero. Indian ideals spread to China, along with zero. Indian ideals spread to China, along with zero. Ch’in Chiu-Shao’s Mathematical treatise in nine sections. Zhu Shijie’s Jade mirror of four elements. Fibonacci is credited for bringing Indian ideals to Europe, but only treated it as a sign, not a number necessarily. Fibonacci is credited for bringing Indian ideals to Europe, but only treated it as a sign, not a number necessarily.

Impact of Zero In society, zero represents an empty value. (Absence of value or nothing) In society, zero represents an empty value. (Absence of value or nothing) After the creation of zero, it was used to be a simple placeholder. Now it is a number of its own. After the creation of zero, it was used to be a simple placeholder. Now it is a number of its own. Evolved from its placeholder position into its current meaning as conceptual idea of nothing. Evolved from its placeholder position into its current meaning as conceptual idea of nothing.

Impact of Zero We are now able to distinguish between the uses of zero in conversations based on context. We are now able to distinguish between the uses of zero in conversations based on context. Ex: We know that if somebody tells us the price of a slice of pizza is “two fifty", we know that they mean $2.50. However if the context changes to the cost of a speaker system, and somebody tells us the price is “two fifty”, we assume it means $250. Ex: We know that if somebody tells us the price of a slice of pizza is “two fifty", we know that they mean $2.50. However if the context changes to the cost of a speaker system, and somebody tells us the price is “two fifty”, we assume it means $250.

Importance of Zero With zero, the existence of negative and decimal numbers is possible, which is important to concepts such as temperature. With zero, the existence of negative and decimal numbers is possible, which is important to concepts such as temperature. Zero is a “origin point” on some scales, allowing for a balanced start. (Neither positive or negative.) Zero is a “origin point” on some scales, allowing for a balanced start. (Neither positive or negative.) Zero is also important to rounding, which may require rounding to the nearest tens or higher, numbers that need zero. Zero is also important to rounding, which may require rounding to the nearest tens or higher, numbers that need zero.

References importance-of-zero-in-mathematics importance-of-zero-in-mathematics importance-of-zero-in-mathematics importance-of-zero-in-mathematics system.org/~history/HistTopics/Zero.html system.org/~history/HistTopics/Zero.html system.org/~history/HistTopics/Zero.html system.org/~history/HistTopics/Zero.html html html html html