Why does the west use Arabic Numerals? (Short Animated Documentary)

Summary

This script explores the historical transition from Roman to Arabic numerals in the Western world. Despite being the standard for millennia, Roman numerals were gradually replaced due to the efficiency of Arabic numerals, which originated in India and reached Europe through trade with the Arabic world. The shift began in the 13th century with Fibonacci's advocacy but faced resistance due to cultural conservatism and religious concerns. It wasn't until the Renaissance that Arabic numerals gained widespread acceptance, particularly among the banking community, for their mathematical convenience and superiority.

Takeaways

• 🔢 Western societies predominantly use Arabic numerals today, but this was not always the case; Roman numerals were the standard for millennia.
• 📚 Roman numerals were the only system used in the West until the introduction of Arabic numerals in the 9th century, despite the latter's initial lack of widespread adoption.
• 🌍 Eastern Europe had its own numeral system, the Cyrillic numerals, which were in use until the 18th century reforms by Peter the Great.
• 📈 The spread of Arabic numerals in Europe was significantly influenced by the work of Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, who advocated for their efficiency in his mathematical textbook.
• 🚫 The adoption of Arabic numerals was initially slow due to concerns about potential fraud and cultural resistance, as they were seen as foreign and unchristian.
• 📖 It took until the Renaissance for Arabic numerals to gain more traction, with universities beginning to teach them, although their spread was still gradual.
• 🏛 The cultural conservatism of using Roman numerals, which had been in use for so long, was a barrier to change, despite the advantages of Arabic numerals.
• 💼 Bankers and merchants, who did not typically attend university, continued to use Roman numerals, which slowed the transition to Arabic numerals.
• 🔍 The efficiency of Arabic numerals in mathematical operations, such as multiplication, became more apparent during the Renaissance, leading to their increased use.
• 🏛️ The Medici banking family and other Italian leaders of the Renaissance were instrumental in bringing Arabic numerals into wider use due to their efficiency in commerce and mathematics.
• 📅 Despite their decline in everyday use, Roman numerals persist in certain contexts, such as on some calendars and by monarchs.

Q & A

Why were Roman numerals replaced by Arabic numerals in the Western world?

Roman numerals were replaced due to the efficiency and practicality of Arabic numerals, which were introduced to Europe through trade with the Arabic world and gained popularity especially after the work of Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, who advocated for their use in his mathematical textbook.

What numeral system was predominantly used in Eastern Europe before the reforms of Peter the Great?

Eastern Europe predominantly used the Cyrillic numeral system of the Bulgarian Empire until Peter the Great's reforms in the 18th century.

When were Arabic numerals first introduced to Europe?

Arabic numerals were first introduced to Europe in the 9th century, with Pope Sylvester II being in favor of their use.

Who is credited with significantly spreading the use of Arabic numerals in the 13th century?

Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci, is credited with spreading the use of Arabic numerals through his mathematical textbook that argued for their superiority.

Why did the adoption of Arabic numerals initially face resistance in Europe?

The adoption faced resistance due to concerns about the potential for fraud, as the new system was easier to tamper with compared to Roman numerals, and because it was imported from the Islamic world, which made Christian leaders uneasy.

What were the two main reasons for the slow adoption of Arabic numerals in Europe?

The two main reasons were the susceptibility of the new system to fraud and the cultural and religious resistance due to its origins in the Islamic world.

How did the Renaissance contribute to the spread of Arabic numerals?

The Renaissance led to a questioning of old institutions and promoted the study of Arabic numerals in universities, which helped spread their use among the educated classes and eventually to bankers and merchants.

Why were bankers and merchants initially not taught Arabic numerals?

Bankers and merchants were not taught Arabic numerals because they did not typically attend universities where the new system was being taught, and they were more familiar with Roman numerals.

What is an example of the complexity of performing multiplication with Roman numerals?

An example given in the script is multiplying 13 by 13 in Roman numerals, which involves a lengthy process of doubling numbers, adding lines, and managing even numbers, showing the inefficiency compared to Arabic numerals.

Why did the Medici banking family adopt Arabic numerals?

The Medici banking family adopted Arabic numerals for their efficiency in mathematical operations, which was a significant advantage in banking and financial calculations.

In what contexts are Roman numerals still occasionally used today?

Roman numerals are still occasionally used today in certain contexts such as by monarchs and in some calendars.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Transition from Roman to Arabic Numerals

This paragraph discusses the historical shift from Roman to Arabic numerals in the Western world. It explains that Roman numerals were the standard for millennia until the 9th century when Arabic numerals, which originated in India, were introduced to Europe through trade with the Arabic world. Despite initial resistance due to cultural conservatism and religious bias, the efficiency of Arabic numerals in mathematical operations eventually led to their widespread adoption, particularly after the 13th century when Fibonacci's mathematical textbook advocated for their use. The paragraph also touches on the challenges faced by the new system, such as susceptibility to fraud and the reluctance of established institutions to change.

Keywords

💡Arabic Numerals

Arabic Numerals refer to the decimal number system that is widely used around the world today. The script explains that these numerals originated in India and were introduced to Europe through the Arabic world. They are central to the video's theme as they represent the numeral system that eventually replaced Roman numerals in the Western world. The script mentions that they were first introduced in the 9th century and became more widespread in the 13th century, largely due to the influence of Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci.

💡Roman Numerals

Roman Numerals are a numeral system that originated in ancient Rome and were used for over a millennium in Europe. The script discusses their prevalence during the time of the Roman Empire and after its collapse, highlighting their long-standing use and the cultural significance that made them resistant to change. The video contrasts Roman numerals with Arabic numerals, illustrating the shift in preference due to the latter's efficiency and ease of use in mathematical operations.

💡Cyrillic Numeral System

The Cyrillic Numeral System is a numerical system used in Eastern Europe, particularly associated with the Bulgarian Empire. The script notes that this system was in use until the 18th century when Peter the Great's reforms led to its replacement. While not the main focus, the mention of the Cyrillic numeral system provides context to the broader historical use of numeral systems beyond the Roman and Arabic numerals.

💡Fibonacci

Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, is a historical figure central to the video's narrative. He is credited with writing a mathematical textbook that advocated for the adoption of Arabic numerals over Roman numerals. Fibonacci's work is highlighted as a turning point in the acceptance of Arabic numerals in Europe, demonstrating the influence of educational texts on societal change.

💡Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period of cultural, artistic, and intellectual rebirth in Europe. The script mentions the Renaissance as a time when old institutions were questioned, and new ideas, such as the use of Arabic numerals, were more readily adopted. The Renaissance is portrayed as a catalyst for the shift from Roman to Arabic numerals, illustrating the connection between cultural movements and technological or mathematical advancements.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency, in the context of the script, refers to the practical advantage of using Arabic numerals over Roman numerals, particularly in mathematical operations. The video provides an example of how complex multiplication would be in Roman numerals compared to the simplicity of the same operation in Arabic numerals. This concept is key to understanding why the transition to Arabic numerals was ultimately embraced.

💡Cultural Conservatism

Cultural Conservatism is the resistance to change due to traditional values or practices. The script discusses how the long-standing use of Roman numerals made people hesitant to adopt the new Arabic numeral system. This concept is crucial to understanding the slow transition and the psychological and cultural barriers to adopting new systems.

💡Fraud

The script mentions the potential for fraud as a reason why the new Arabic numeral system was initially met with skepticism. It contrasts the security of Roman numerals, where alterations were easily detectable, with the ease of tampering with Arabic numerals, such as changing a '3' to an '8'. This concern over fraud represents a practical barrier to the adoption of new systems.

💡Islamic World

The Islamic World is referenced in the script as the source from which Arabic numerals were introduced to Europe. The video discusses the reluctance of Christian leaders to adopt a system associated with the Islamic world, reflecting the religious and cultural tensions that influenced the slow adoption of Arabic numerals.

💡Medici Banking Family

The Medici family, a powerful banking dynasty from Italy, is mentioned in the script as one of the driving forces behind the adoption of Arabic numerals during the Renaissance. Their involvement illustrates the role of influential families and institutions in promoting and normalizing new practices, such as the use of Arabic numerals for their efficiency in banking and commerce.

💡Peter the Great

Peter the Great was a Russian tsar known for his extensive reforms, including the adoption of the Latin alphabet and numerals in place of the Cyrillic numeral system. The script uses his reforms as an example of the broader historical context of numeral system transitions, showing that changes in numeral systems were not unique to Western Europe.

Highlights

Western world predominantly used Roman numerals for millennia before Arabic numerals were adopted.

Eastern Europe used the Cyrillic numeral system until the 18th century.

Arabic numerals were introduced to Europe in the 9th century but did not gain popularity until the 13th century.

Pope Sylvester II was in favor of Arabic numerals, but they did not become widely accepted at the time.

Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, wrote a mathematical textbook advocating the superiority of Arabic numerals.

Arabic numerals were initially adopted by merchants in Pisa but were later banned due to concerns of fraud.

Roman numerals were resistant to tampering, unlike the easily altered Arabic numerals.

Christian leaders were uneasy about adopting a system from the Islamic world, viewing it as unchristian.

The spread of Arabic numerals was slow due to cultural conservatism and the familiarity with Roman numerals.

Renaissance universities began teaching Arabic numerals, but their spread was limited by the lack of university education among bankers and merchants.

The Medici banking family and other Italian leaders of the Renaissance were instrumental in promoting Arabic numerals for their efficiency.

Roman numerals were cumbersome for mathematical operations, exemplified by the complex process of multiplying 13 by 13.

The efficiency of Arabic numerals in mathematical operations was a key factor in their eventual widespread adoption.

Monarchs and some calendars still occasionally use Roman numerals, despite their general decline in favor of Arabic numerals.

The transition from Roman to Arabic numerals was a gradual process influenced by cultural, religious, and practical factors.

The episode concludes with a special thanks to Patreon supporters, highlighting the community's contribution to the content.

Transcripts

as you know the Western world

predominantly uses Arabic numerals for

mathematics but it never used to for

millennia Roman numerals were used but

why were they replaced what led to

Europe and the Western world adopting

Arabic numerals throughout the life of

the Roman Empire and the millennium

after its collapse in the West Roman

numerals were the only game in town

sidenote in case you're wondering much

of Eastern Europe used the Cyrillic

numeral system of the Bulgarian Empire

until Peter the Great's reforms in the

18th century

anyway whilst Roman numerals might

appear to be complicated when trying to

use them in mathematics everyone in

Europe had only ever known them it was

obvious to everyone back then that zip

plus Xavier equals LA obviously all

joking aside this had been the way that

things had been done for thousands of

years so why did they change and how

Arabic numerals call so because they

came to Europe through trade with the

Arabic world they actually originated in

India by the way were first introduced

to Europe in the 9th century and in fact

pope sylvester ii was heavily in favor

of they used but they never took off it

wasn't until the 13th century the tara

big numerals began to spread to

merchants some or perhaps much of this

was down to the work of Leonardo of Pisa

better known as Fibonacci who basically

wrote a mathematical textbook which

argued that Arabic numerals were

superior

Fibonacci's arguments for adopting were

convincing and many merchants in pisa

adopted the new system at least

temporarily since it was soon afterwards

banned there were two main reasons for

this which also white took so long for

Arabic numerals to be adopted in the

rest of Europe one the new system was

open to fraud with Roman numerals

merchants would use a flick with the

last iron a number to mark that it was

the last one something hard to tamper

with whereas anyone could turn a 3 into

an 8 and make it look like somebody owed

more money than they did and reason

number 2 because the system was imported

from the Islamic world it made Christian

lead his emergence uneasy who often at

the very least saw the use of it as

being unchristian and in the eyes of

church leaders had also promoted trade

with the Islamic world which was seen as

a no-no this setback took another two

centuries to overcome when our big

numeral started popping up all over

Europe Renaissance universities were

quick to start instruction in Arabic

numerals yet they took centuries to

spread because bankers and merchants

didn't attend university and so were

instructed in the better understood

Roman numerals and another reason was

because of cultural conservatism Roman

numerals had been used literally for

millennia and were good enough for the

Romans so why change anything

it was only when the Renaissance really

took off and old institutions were for

the first time question that the use of

Roman numerals work we read the new

leaders in Italy were students of the

Renaissance and many like the Medici

banking family brought Arabic numerals

with them for them it was the efficiency

in mathematics as an example would do 13

times 13 in Roman numerals two columns

one of the numbers being multiplied in

each add a new line half the number in

the left column and doubled the number

in the right you keep going until the

half number gets to one then cross out

any rows where the number in the left

column is even at the right column

together and there's your answer hence

why we got rid of them there after

leaving only monarchs in the occasional

calendar still using Roman numerals I

hope you enjoyed this episode and a

special thanks to all my patreon

supporters James vis annette marvin

castle a man of culture danny Meloni Jon

viscous Rob Waterhouse Moe Aaron the

white James Castaneda Gustav Swan Jordan

long ray

Marcus Ozma spinning three plates

cooling Castleman filled oink oink

Rashid Ali David Silverman easy Maggie

packs Kowski Spencer Lightfoot Winston

Cawood Robert Wetzel Lexi Schwinn

Anthony Beckett and Skye Chappell I'm

gonna get yelled at for calling them

Arabic numerals aren't I