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The Representation Of Numbers |
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Saturday, 08 March 2008 18:48 |
How did the Mayas represent numbers?
The Mayas, as well as the Aztecs, used a vigesimal (20) numeration. To represent numbers they had 3 graphical notations: a) with strokes and dots, b) anthropomorphic shapes, c) symbols.
The Mayan base-20 numeral system
The figures shown below indicate numbers from 0 to 10
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Friday, 07 March 2008 21:01 |
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Today's numbers, also called Hindu-Arabic numbers, are a combination of just 10 symbols or digits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0. These digits were introduced in Europe within the XII century by Leonardo Pisano (aka Fibonacci), an Italian mathematician. L. Pisano was educated in North Africa, where he learned and later carried to Italy the now popular Hindu-Arabic numerals.
Hindu numeral system is a pure place-value system, that is why you need a zero. Only the Hindus, within the context of Ind-European civilizations, have consistently used a zero. The Arabs, however, played an essential part in the dissemination of this numeral system.
Numerals, a time travel from India to Europe
The discovery of zero and the place-value system were inventions unique to the Indian civilization. As the Brahmi notation of the first 9 whole numbers... |
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