The Origin of Zero Concepts

Currently, zero (numeral and Symbol) allows individuals to understand calculus, solve complex equations and invent useful gadgets such as computers. In spite of this, the issue about the primary inventors of this essential concept is ambiguous because scholars have parallels issues about the inventors. Indians, Babylonians, and Sumerians top the list of the anticipated inventors of the mathematical zero concepts. In such perspective, it is the rationale of this paper to evaluate the early contributors of zero thought on mathematics. Literature indicates that the Indians introduced the zero thought to the mathematics realm. Furthermore, the claims that the Arab merchants came across the zero ideas in India and carried it to the west refute the Mayan’s argument about the introduction of zero to the mathematical world.

Similarly, the Sumerian (5,000 BC), who invented the number system, used a positional system without a zero (Pal). Also, the facts that the concept of zero found its way to the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world few centuries after its use in India means that India introduced the idea of zero to mathematics. Therefore, the arguments and evidence presented in the paper indicate that the associated value and the concept of the mathematical symbol, Zero, was initially used in India. Even though the origin of zero is one of the greatest conundrums in the mathematical field, archeological evidences such as the earliest Indian scrolls indicates that the Indian included the zero ideas in mathematical operation earlier than other communities hence they are the early contributor of this idea to mathematics.