Arabic numerals - a ten mathematical signs with which recorded any numbers.They look as follows: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. These figures appeared in Europe in the X-XIII centuries.Today, most countries use Arabic numerals to record the numbers used in the decimal system.The origin of Arabic numerals is still not known for certain.Some scientists believe that the Arabic numerals came to us from India in the V century BC, but became widespread thanks to the famous Arab scholar al-Khwarizmi, who widely popularized them.This world-famous scientist was the author of the treatise "Kitab al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabala."That's the name of this treatise and was the word "algebra", has become not just a term, but a science, without which it is impossible to imagine our life.
Arab figures have been appreciated by the inhabitants of Muslim countries and improved academics.About five centuries, these numbers are mainly used by the Arabs.With their help, the medieval scientists have been able to achieve tremendous success in algebra, mathematics and other exact sciences, while Europe is sinking deeper into ignorance and obscurantism.
Origin of Arabic numerals in Europe due to the fact that on the territory of modern Spain coexisted two states - the Barcelona County Christian and the Muslim Caliphate of Cordoba.Sylvester II, the former leader of the Christian Church from 999 to 1003, was extraordinarily educated man and an outstanding scientist.He was able to discover for Europeans to achieve Arab astronomy and mathematics.Even as a simple monk, he gained access to the Arab scientific books and treatises.Sylvester II turned his attention to ease of use Arabic numerals and began intensively promote them in Europe.This extraordinary man immediately turned his attention to the significant benefits enjoyed by Arabic numerals in comparison with Roman, widely used in those days in Europe.
not just residents of European countries assessed the enormous scientific value of this knowledge.It took three centuries to those numbers came into use and have won universal recognition.But after Arab figures have taken their place in medieval Europe, the era of the Renaissance.With the introduction of Arabic numerals began to develop mathematics and physics, astronomy and geography.European science has a major new impetus to its further development.
Why Arabic numerals have the mark?There is a hypothesis that they are composed of straight line segments, the number of angles is the same as the figure itself.For example, a zero has no corners, with graphic writing numbers 1 - one corner, 2 - consists of two angles, and so on. D. With the passage of time the corners smoothed and figures acquired current familiar look.This, of course, an interesting hypothesis, but it is not the absolute truth.
the question of what people come up with Arabic numerals, not easy to answer.Scientists are inclined to believe that the most likely spelling the Arabs came from India, where the mark more closely resembles modern figures.It is in the Indian instrument in V-IX centuries, scientists have found records in appearance resembling modern figures.
How Indian figures transformed into Arabic?Arabs after the fall of the Roman Empire in the V century BC.e.intensively traded with India and along with the spices, spices and precious stones brought new figures, which became known as the Arab after been improved and popularized by the Arabs.Therefore, the question of what people come up with Arabic numerals, still remains open.
