Who invented Zero

Zero was invented by Aryabhata in the 6th century in India by the zero (0) symbol Aryabhata denotes an empty space, its uses and application were given by Brahmagupta

The concept of zero as a number and not merely a symbol for separation is attributed to India, where, by the 9th century AD, practical calculations were carried out using zero, which was treated like any other number, even in the case of division. The credit for inventing ‘zero (0)’ goes to Indian mathematicians, and the number zero first appears in a book about ‘arithmetic’ written by an Indian mathematician ‘Brahamagupta’. Zero signifies ‘nothing’ and the current definition calls it an ‘additive identity. The Indian mathematicians Bhaskara, Mahavira and Brahamagupta worked on this new number and they tried to explain its properties. It wasn’t that somebody suddenly came up with the idea of the zero and mathematicians throughout the world accepted it. Around 500 AD, Aryabhatta, an Indian mathematician, devised a numbers system and the symbol he used for the number zero was also the number used to represent an unknown element (x).

Introduction

Zero, written 0, is both a number and the numerical digit used to represent that number in numerals. It plays a central role in mathematics as the additive identity of the integers, real numbers, and many other algebraic structures. As a digit 0 is used as a placeholder in place value systems. In the English language, 0 may be called zero, nought or (US) naught.

Origin of Zero

The word Zero probably came from the Sanskrit word shunyam or the Hindi Equivalent shunya. The word shunyam was translated to Arabic as Al-sifer. Fibonacci mentioned it as cifra from which we have our present-day cipher, meaning empty space. From this original Italian word or from the alteration of Medieval Latin zephirum, the present word zero might have originated.

Aryabhata Number System

• This system was based on Sanskrit.
• It was introduced in the 6th century in India.
• He invented Zero(as a symbol)
• Great Mathematician and astronomer.
• Aryabhata's number system had not zero, as a positional system but was used to denote empty space.

Brahmagupta

• Brahmagupta was the first to give rules to compute with zero.
• Indian mathematician of the seventh century.
• Devised the concept of zero in arithmetic
• Gave rules of operation with zero
• For e.g. -> a-a = 0

What is Zero?

Zero is a strange number and one of the greatest paradoxes of human thought. It means both everything and nothing. It is both a number and the numerical digit used to represent that number in numerals. It fulfils a central role in mathematics as the additive identity of the integers, real numbers and many other algebraic structures. Without zero, not just mathematics, but all branches of science would have struggled for clearer definitions. As a digit, 0 is used as a placeholder in place value systems. The value of zero is well known today as it holds the highest value today. Without the invention of 0, the binary system and the computer are not possible. It is the greatest invention on which every calculation depends. Zero is a tiny number but it can never be ignored.

• Zero is a number and a digit with no value or a null value
• It's as empty as the space
• It's an integer and an even number
• It's neither positive nor negative
• Zero is nothing
• But it is the absence of something
• For e.g., if 12 is divided by 3 remainder is 0

Name of Zero in Different Parts of the World

• India - Sunya
• Middle East - Sirf
• Italy - Zefero
• French - Zer'o
• English - Zero

History of Zero

It is said that the number zero originated or was created in these 3 places. Ancient India, Ancient Babylon, and the Mayan Civilization. Historians believed that it came into existence in 458 AD. Zeros were created at different times in each of these civilizations. But the one that people think was used first was in Ancient India by Hindus and the Arabic. Undoubtedly the complete credit goes to India for the invention of zero and its effects use as a number.

Zero as a Number

O is the integer immediately preceding 1. In most cultures, 0 was identified before the idea of negative things that go lower than zero was accepted. Zero is an even number because it is divisible by 2. Zero is neither positive nor negative. By some definitions, 0 is also a natural number, and then the only natural number is not to be positive. Zero is a number which quantifies a count or an amount of null size.

The value, or number, zero is not the same as the zero, used in numeral systems using positional notation. Successive positions of digits have higher weights, so inside a numeral, the digit zero is used to skip a position and give appropriate weights to the preceding and following digits. A zero digit is not always necessary in a positional number system, for example, in the number 02. In some instances, a leading zero may be used to distinguish a number.