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Zero and Decimal System

628 CE · Late Antiquity
Mathematics

Brahmagupta, an Indian mathematician and astronomer, formalized the concept of zero as both a number and placeholder in his treatise 'Brahmasphutasiddhanta.' Building on earlier work by Aryabhata, he established rules for arithmetic operations with zero and developed the decimal place-value system. This revolutionary mathematical concept eventually spread worldwide, enabling advanced calculations and forming a critical foundation for modern computing.

Key Figures

BrahmaguptaAryabhata

Locations

Ancient India

Topics

astronomymathematicsnumber systemscientific revolutionIslamic mathematicsAncient India

Connected Events — 2 Connections

Transmitted westward through Al-Khwarizmi's Foundational Algebra Text
c. 820 CE · Mathematics · Late Antiquity
The Bakhshali manuscript (c. 300 CE) contains the earliest known written zeros as dot placeholders, predating and anticipating Brahmagupta's 628 CE formalization of zero as a number Bakhshali Manuscript Records Zero as a Written Symbol
c. 3rd–4th century CE · Mathematics · Classical Antiquity
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