The Hindu numeral system (or Indian numeral system or Hindu-Arabic numeral system) is a positional system of numeration on a base of ten, using a symbol for zero, that is the most commonly used system today. It is considered one of the most significant developments in mathematics. Its success is based on the fact that it uses the concept of place value, thus simulating an abacus on paper. This scheme, developed in India by the Hindus around 400 BC, made hitherto difficult numerical calculations much easier and revolutionized arithmetic. By about 400 AD the Hindus had modified the scheme to include the concept of a number zero.

The system was adopted by Arab peoples before its introduction to Europe by traveling merchants in the 13th century.

History

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See main article: History of the Hindu-Arabic numeral system.

Description

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The Hindu numeration system is a positional base-ten numeral system with ten distinct symbols, known in English as the 'Arabic numerals', representing the 10 numerical digits. Each digit has a value which is multiplied by a power of ten according to its position in the number, the left-most digit of a number having the greatest value.

Numeration