Mysteries of vernacular: Zero - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel

TED-Ed

1 Aug 201302:06

Summary

TLDRThe script explores the evolution of the concept of zero. It traces back to early counting methods with notches on bones 37,000 years ago, then to Mesopotamia's base-60 system around 2500 B.C. The critical development occurred in 7th-century India, where a dot was used as a placeholder, evolving into today's zero symbol. Derived from Arabic 'safira' meaning empty, 'zero' entered English in the 17th century. Its counterpart 'cipher,' also meaning empty, shifted to denote codes due to early cryptographic practices involving letters and numbers.

Takeaways

🔢 Zero represents the absence of units.
🗺️ The earliest known counting dates back to approximately 37,000 years ago, with notches in bone.
📚 The first written number system emerged in Mesopotamia around 2500 B.C., using units like one, ten, and sixty.
🕰️ It took three millennia for the concept of zero to develop in seventh-century India.
🇮🇳 Indian mathematicians used a dot as a placeholder and number, which evolved into the modern zero symbol.
🌐 The word 'zero' has its roots in the Arabic word 'safira', meaning empty.
📖 'Zero' entered the English language in the seventeenth century, borrowed from Italian.
🔐 A related term, 'cipher', also derived from Arabic, originally meant 'empty' but later described codes.
🔄 Early codes often used complex substitutions between letters and numbers, influencing the term 'cipher'.
♾️ Zero continues to symbolize the number that represents nothing.

Q & A

What is the earliest known archaeological evidence of counting?
-The earliest known archaeological evidence of counting dates back approximately 37,000 years and consists of a series of notches in bone.
When did the first written number system begin to take form?
-The first written number system began to take form around 2500 B.C. in Mesopotamia.
What units were used in the early Mesopotamian number system?
-The early Mesopotamian number system used the units one, ten, and sixty.
In which century did the concept of zero as a placeholder emerge in India?
-The concept of zero as a placeholder emerged in seventh century India.
What was used by Indian mathematicians to distinguish between numbers like 25, 205, and 250?
-Indian mathematicians used a single dot to distinguish between numbers like 25, 205, and 250.
How did the single dot used in India eventually evolve?
-The single dot used in India eventually evolved into the symbol we recognize as zero today.
What is the origin of the word 'zero'?
-The word 'zero' comes from the Arabic word 'sifr', which means 'empty'.
How did the word 'zero' enter the English language?
-The word 'zero' entered the English language in the seventeenth century.
What is the relationship between the words 'zero' and 'cipher'?
-Both 'zero' and 'cipher' share an Arabic root and originally meant 'empty', but 'cipher' later came to describe a code.
Why did 'cipher' come to describe a code?
-'Cipher' came to describe a code because early codes often used complicated substitutions between letters and numbers.
How does zero continue to represent the concept of 'nothing'?
-Zero continues to represent the concept of 'nothing' as it is the number that indicates an absence of units.

Outlines

00:00

🔢 Origin of Zero

The paragraph discusses the evolution of the concept of zero. It begins with the earliest known evidence of counting, which dates back 37,000 years to notches in bone. The first written number system emerged in Mesopotamia around 2500 B.C., using units such as one, ten, and sixty. By the seventh century in India, mathematicians used a dot as a placeholder and number, which later transformed into the symbol for zero. The word 'zero' is derived from the Arabic 'safira' meaning 'empty', and it entered English in the 17th century. Another term, 'cipher', also meaning 'empty', evolved to represent codes due to the use of complex letter-number substitutions in early codes.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Zero

Zero is a number that signifies an absence of units, representing nothingness in a numerical context. In the video, it is discussed as a critical component of counting systems, evolving from a simple dot used by Indian mathematicians to distinguish between numbers. The script illustrates how zero serves as a placeholder in numbers like 205 and 250, helping to organize and clarify numerical values.

💡Vernacular

Vernacular refers to the native language or the common speech of a community, as opposed to a literary, formal, or liturgical language. In the context of the video, 'Mysteries of vernacular' suggests an exploration of the origins and development of everyday language, particularly as it relates to numerical terms and concepts.

💡Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological evidence is material evidence that is uncovered through archaeological excavations, providing insights into past human activities. The video mentions that the earliest known archaeological evidence of counting dates back approximately 37,000 years, highlighting the long history of human counting practices.

💡Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, is an ancient region in Western Asia where some of the earliest human civilizations developed. The video discusses how the first written number system began to take form in Mesopotamia around 2500 B.C., emphasizing the region's significant role in the development of numerical systems.

💡Place Value

Place value is a fundamental concept in mathematics where the value of a digit is determined by its position within a number. The video touches on this concept when explaining how a single dot (which later became zero) was used to distinguish between numbers like 25, 205, and 250, indicating the importance of place value in understanding numerical systems.

💡Mathematicians

Mathematicians are individuals who study and work with mathematics, often making significant contributions to the field. In the context of the video, seventh-century Indian mathematicians are credited with the development of the zero as a placeholder and number, demonstrating the role of mathematicians in advancing our understanding of numbers.

💡Arabic Safira

Arabic Safira is the origin of the word 'zero,' meaning 'empty.' The video explains how the word zero was adopted into English from Arabic, showing the cultural and linguistic exchange that has contributed to the development of mathematical terminology.

💡Italian Zefiro

Italian Zefiro is a linguistic step in the journey of the word 'zero' from Arabic to English. The video mentions that zero passed through Italian as 'zefiro' before entering English in the seventeenth century, illustrating the path of linguistic evolution.

💡Cipher

Cipher, derived from the Arabic root that also gave us 'zero,' originally meant 'empty.' However, it later came to describe a code, particularly because early codes often involved complex substitutions between letters and numbers. The video highlights this dual meaning, showing how language evolves to accommodate new concepts.

💡Empty

Empty refers to a state of having nothing inside or a lack of content. In the video, 'empty' is used to describe the literal translation of the Arabic word 'safira,' which eventually became 'zero.' This term is central to understanding the concept of zero as representing nothingness.

💡Numerical System

A numerical system is a set of symbols and rules for representing numbers and performing arithmetic operations. The video discusses the development of the first written numerical system in Mesopotamia, which used units like one, ten, and sixty, highlighting the evolution of numerical systems over time.

Highlights

The word 'zero' indicates an absence of units.

Earliest known archaeological evidence of counting dates back approximately 37,000 years.

First written number system formed in Mesopotamia around 2500 B.C.

Mesopotamian system used units one, ten, and sixty.

Seventh century India introduced a single dot as a placeholder and number.

The dot eventually evolved into the symbol for zero.

The word zero originates from the Arabic word 'safira', meaning empty.

The word 'zero' entered English in the seventeenth century.

A second Arabic root led to the English word 'cipher'.

The word 'cipher' originally meant 'empty', like 'zero'.

'Cipher' later described a code due to early codes' use of substitutions between letters and numbers.

Zero continues to represent the number that represents nothing.

The evolution of the zero symbol is a significant development in the history of mathematics.

The use of a dot as a placeholder in India was a pivotal innovation.

The Arabic influence on the development of the word 'zero' is notable.

The transition of 'cipher' from a mathematical term to a term for codes is an interesting linguistic evolution.

The concept of 'empty' has been central to the development of both 'zero' and 'cipher'.

The history of counting and the development of numerical systems is fascinating.

The practical applications of zero in mathematics and science are immense.