The Story of 0: How Nothing Changed Everything

What is zero? Why is it important? Isn’t it just nothing?

This is a question my younger self was curious to know about. Zero is a number which represents nothing. It is the first whole number. It acts as a placeholder in the number system. It is a fundamental mathematical concept which is used to represent an empty quantity. It is the additive identity for numbers, as the addition or subtraction of 0 to/from any number results in the same number (a ± 0 = a). Zero is a neutral integer which is neither positive nor negative.

In the early number systems, the Roman, Greek and Egyptian mathematicians used numbers without zero. The symbols such as X, L, C and M were used in Roman numerals, and there was no symbol for zero. These symbols made the calculations prolonged and strenuous. In ancient India, Indian mathematicians used a dot or a small circle to represent an empty value. It was Aryabhatta who developed zero as an indication for place value. It was named as Shunya, in Sanskrit, which stands for void or emptiness. Later, Brahmagupta, around 628 CE, wrote arithmetic rules revolving around zero for addition, subtraction and multiplication. The rules given by Brahmagupta were:

· Number + 0 = same number

· Number − 0 = same number

· Number × 0 = 0

Aryabhatta (L) and Brahmagupta (R)

Zero entered into other mathematical civilisations through Indian-Arab interactions. For trade and scholastic advancements, many Indian mathematicians travelled across the globe. The Arabs were among the first to adopt zero in their numerical system. Later, Arabic mathematicians such as Al-Khwarizmi spread Hindu-Arabic numerals. Later, zero reached the European scholars through Arab texts and scriptures. Over the years, zero was accepted despite opposition and distrust.

Al-Khwarizmi (Father of Algebra)

Over time, the inception of Zero has proven to be revolutionary for the ease and accuracy it has brought to arithmetical calculations. It has made positional notation thinkable. Zero is the bedrock for algebra, calculus and advanced mathematics. Also, division of numbers by 0 leads to an undefined result. It led to the development of computers, which use the binary number system, which contains 0 and 1. The binary number system is not only used in computers but also in other digital technologies, such as the internet, smartphones, and artificial intelligence systems. Zero has also led to the advancement of myriad fields such as astronomy, economics, physics, chemistry, science, engineering, data science and much more.

In the end, it is important to note that zero is indeed one of the greatest inventions in human history. Despite representing ‘nothing’, zero has transformed the world of mathematics, science and technology.

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