The separation mark (1)

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The mathematical astronomy in Babylonia originated probably in the Persian period. Probably also in this period the sexagesimal place value notation was perfected by the introduction of a symbol for “zero” - a separation mark. Thus, when Greek astronomy began its own development in the early second century BCE, using sexagesimally written Babylonian parameters, the use of a sepration mark for zero was also adopted. With Greek astronomy the place value notation, including zero, came to India, where this system was finally extended also to decimally written numbers, whence our “Hindu (Arabic) numerals” originated. The basic idea is undoubtedly Babylonian in origin.

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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