1. Response to Kirsten Frazier
Yes Kirsten, you rightly said that the present number system invented by the Hindus was actually a cue taken from the Babylonian system. Indefinite spacing between numbers led to the invention of zero (Berlinghoff, 2004, p. 67). The Babylonian system was a sexagesimal system; with base 60. Big spaces were used between numbers to show larger shifts in place values. The Hindu numerals also utilized the addition system of the Egyptian system. Before zero was invented, the Babylonians could feel the empty spaces between numbers and they could see their absence. Historians have evidences to prove that the Babylonians were not the only ones to use a sexagesimal system of numbers. The Sumerian civilization and the Fertile Crescent civilization also made use of a sexagesimal system. There are several explanations as to why several civilizations used 60 as base. One may be due to the variety of factors of 60 and the ease with which the number could be represented. In fact, this 60 is used widely even today, in hours, minutes, seconds, degrees, in geometry etc.
2. Response to Frank Paul Mita
Yes Frank, early mathematicians did not acknowledge negative numbers because they were unable to understand its concepts. Brahmagupta, a more of an astronomer than a mathematician, was the first to attribute vital properties to zero. Mathematics and science could progress more easily after defining zero as a number (Berlinghoff, 2004, p. 94). He was also able to define the existence of negative numbers to a great extent. The Chinese have known to use negative numbers. They used red rods to represent positive numbers and black rods to represent negative numbers. The Hindus used a small circle or a dot over a negative number. In the 17th century, John Wallis was able to represent negative numbers on the number line for the first time. In spite of all these efforts, negative numbers were not given a proper place in mathematics. With time, unexplained mathematical phenomenon, discovery of zero and the need to assess negative numbers and their impact on their positive counterparts finally gave negative numbers a deserving place in the world of mathematics.
3. Response to Damaso Gallman
If the Hindus had not called zero a number, then our number system would only have consisted of nine numbers, from 1- 9 (Berlinghoff, 2004. p. 79). Yes Damaso, our number system would not have place values or numbers with two or more digits. Zero is the perfect balance on the number line, the balance between positive and negative numbers. The invention of zero was initially confined only to a few places like India and Arab countries between 600 AD and the 9th century, but later on spread to Europe in the 12th century where it gained immense popularity. It is also the precursor to algebra which is solely based on solving equations by equating them to zero. Early mathematicians felt the need for a number like zero as they could detect vacant places in their number systems. Our life without zero is unimaginable. We do innumerable calculations using zero. In fact, we try to simplify our complex numbers by rounding them to zero. A student, who has not written a single correct answer in his weekly test, will be unable to express his performance without this wonderful number.
Reference
Berlinghoff. W. P. (2004). Math through the Ages: A Gentle History for Teachers and Others.
Expanded Edition. The Mathematical Association of America: Oxton Publishers.
