INTRODUCTION

The number zero plays a vital role in all number systems. Without the concept of zero, there’s no calculus, no arithmetic calculations. The computer in which you are reading this article runs on a binary number system – strings of zeros and ones. Without the origin of the concept and definition of zero, Math as we know it would fall apart. This article discusses the origin and evolution of zero. Ancient Near East Egypt: The Egyptian number system was based on the multiples of ten. Only having different symbols for 1, 10, 1000, and so on. They used hieroglyphs for the digits. The digits were nonpositional and could be written in any direction. Numbers were made by combining the symbols.

Hence there was no need to have a zero as a place holder. They used a symbol for the word “nfr” which means “Beautiful” for indicating the base in drawings of tombs and pyramids and other architectural plans. This symbol was used as the reference point of measurement and can be considered as the Egyptian equivalent of zero. This practice continued till around 1740 BCE. Babylon: After around a hundred years, Babylonian mathematics came up with a base 60 – Number System, a positional numeral system termed sexagesimal. There was also no direct use of zero, but the requirement of such a concept was felt. A space between sexagesimal numerals denoted this concept. By 300 BC: a punctuation symbol (two slanted wedges) came into use as a place holder in the Babylonian system. That was only a sign of separation or placeholder zero, not an independent number at all. Due to the absence of an equivalent of a zero, often two different numbers were denoted by the same symbol. Like 2 and 120 (2 x 60),3 and 180 (3 x 60).

PRE – COLUMBIAN AMERICAS

Mayan Civilization: Moving on to 2600 BCE: the Mayan civilization came with a fantastic mathematical concept. Evidence of their excellent mathematics is present in their calendars (approximately nine calendars of their time have been found, of which the Long count calendar is most important). They devised a positional number system

whose base was 20, known as the vigesimal number system. Unlike the Babylonians, Mayans didn’t consider the zero only as a sign of separation. They considered it an independent number in its own right. They had different symbols for zero; the most used symbolization was the “shell shape” structure. The shell shape Zero became an integral part of Mayan numerals. In fact, in their calendars, they indicated a month with zero. But still, the Mayan zero is not the true precursor to the modern zero as the operational power of the Mayan zero is not comparable to the modern-day concept of zero.Inca Civilization: In around 1400 to 1500 CE the Inca civilization came up with a knotted cord device named Quipu. It usually consisted of cotton or camelid fiber strings. It was used for data collection, keeping records, monitoring tax obligations, etc. The Inca number system was a base-ten system. The absence of a knot anywhere along the Quipu denoted zero at that place.

CLASSICAL ENQUITY

Greek: The Greek mathematicians held a strong belief that geometry holds the entire number system. Every number had a geometric shape. So they denied keeping zero in their number system as they couldn’t give any proper geometrical figure for zero. Also, the Pythagorean Doctrine and later Aristotelianism did not support the existence of zero as an independent number. The Achilles paradox given by Zeno of Elea depends in large part on the uncertain interpretation of zero.

Later, Ptolemy - inspired by Hipparchus and the Babylonians - used a symbol for zero in his work on mathematical astronomy titled "Syntax Mathematica": for the magnitude of solar and lunar eclipses. It represented the value of both digits and minutes of immersion at first and last China: The Chinese numeral system (Bamboo rod numerals) had no special symbol for zero. Like the Babylonians, they used a gap to denote zero. That gap was termed ‘Kong’. In the book “Science And Civilization in China”, the author, Joseph Needham, reports the finding of a picture of the pascal triangle made by Chu – Shih – Chieh. A circle is used to symbolize zero. Most researchers believe that the modern-day zero was conceptualized in India and then reached China through the Buddhists.

India: The Sanskrit scholar Pingala ( around 2nd or 3rd BC ) used a binary number system in the form of short and long syllables, a notation similar to Morse code. He used the Sanskrit word “sunya” explicitly to refer to zero.

But the concept of zero as a digit in decimal place value system was developed during the Gupta Period. In the Baikhshali manuscript, the zero was symbolized with a large dot. It is likely the precursor of the current hollow symbol.

In Lokavibhaga, a decimal number system, including zero has been used. Here too, "sunya" refers to zero.

The Aryabhatiya states, “ sthanat sthanam dasaguynam”. Which means, “from place to place each is ten times the preceding”. He used the word “kha” for the position, which served as the equivalent of Zero.

Thus, for example , the number 36,278 would be written as

Brahmagupta in the 7th century stated in his book “Brahmasputa Siddhanta”, some rules governed by zero, like subtracting any number from itself results in zero. He also demonstrated a way to obtain zero by addition and subtraction. He also showed the results of operation with zero. This definition of zero closely resembles what we are familiar with, but there is an error regarding division by zero.

TRANSMISSION TO ARAB AND THEN EUROPE :

The Arabic legacy of science was mainly Greek accompanied by Hindu influences. Muhammad ibn Musa al – Khwarizmi prepared astronomical tables using Hindu numerals. In 825 CE he published a book synthesizing Greek and Hindu knowledge andwrote his contribution to mathematics, including an explanation of the use of zero. In 976 CE Muhammad ibn Ahmad al – Khwarizmi stated that if in a calculation no number appears in place of 10, a little circle should be used. That circle was named “sifr”.

In the 11th century, the Hindu Arabic numeral system reached Europe. These numerals were known as “Arabic Numerals”. Here Leonardo Pisa used the phrase “sign 0”. From the 13th century: addition, multiplication, root extraction became common in Europe. They were called algorisms. Later Italian mathematician Fibonacci introduced zero to the mainstream and was later featured in the work of Rene Descartes along with the discovery of calculus By Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz.

Conclusion: So the question “Who invented zero ?” has no meaning. Many ancient civilizations brought zero in their number system for their purpose and with different forms. After migrating to Europe zero was not entirely accepted. Around the time of the crusade, its use was banned throughout Europe for more or less 500 years. From placeholder to the driver of calculus, zero has crossed many brilliant minds and most diverse borders since it was born many centuries ago. Perhaps today Zero is the most pervasive global symbol known. In the story of zero, something can be made, out of nothing.

REFERENCES

1. wikipedia

2.https://yaleglobal.yale.edu/historyzero#:~:text=It%20was%20the%20Indians%20who,formalize%20arithmetic%20operations%20using%20zero.&text=Zero%20reached%20Baghdad%20by%20773, numbers%20on%20the%20Indian%20system

3. https://www.history.com/news/who-invented-the-zero