Empire 193. Empire of Numbers: The Indian Origin of Arabic Numerals
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Oct 9, 2024 Discover how the modern number system, often called Arabic numerals, actually traces its roots back to ancient India. The podcast reveals the groundbreaking invention of zero by Brahmagupta, a game-changer that transformed mathematics. Explore the rich legacy of Indian mathematicians and how their innovations traveled to the Islamic Golden Age via Baghdad's House of Wisdom. Dive into historical narratives that intertwine art, culture, and the evolution of mathematical thought, bridging past discoveries with present-day knowledge.
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Math Anxiety
- William Dalrymple admits to twice failing his math level exams at age 15.
- Anita Anand jokes about the cultural differences in parental expectations regarding academic performance.
Indian Origin of Arabic Numerals
- The modern number system, often called Arabic numerals, originated in India.
- This system includes numbers 1-9 and the concept of zero, allowing any number up to infinity to be expressed with just ten symbols.
The Invention of Zero
- Brahmagupta's invention of zero in its modern form was a monumental development in human history.
- This transformed zero from an absence to a number with active properties.