The History of Zero--Asian Pacific American Heritage Blog Series and Giveaway Post

This post is part of the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Blog Series and Giveaway on Multicultural Kid Blogs. You can enter the giveaway at the end of the post. There is a link party for all Asian-Pacific American Heritage posts on Multicultural Kid Blogs. We also have a link party for Japan posts in our Global Learning for Kids this month. Next month will be India.

History of Zero:

Can you imagine a world without zero? Or perhaps you wonder why we need to represent nothing at all? For centuries there was no mark or symbol of zero. The history of the number zero begins in Asia. It is believed that the first people to have a symbol for zero were the Babylonians. The Babylonians had inherited the counting system of the Sumerians which was the first to have a symbol instead of hash marks for each number.

Around 1450 B.C. By Свифт/Svift (my work) 
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Babylonians added a symbol to stand for zero. These civilizations used their number systems to count cattle, etc.They also developed a place value system similar to ours. However the Babylonian number system was not shared and "died" with the civilization. The Ancient Greeks learned their mathematics from Egypt and their number system did not have a place holder like zero or a need for it. There is no evidence of any zero existing. However around 350 A.D. the Mayans developed a place-holder version of zero. However it died with the Mayan Empire and was not introduced to anyone else.

Numerals from the Bakhshali Manuscript By Augustus Hoernle (1841-1918)
[Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Indians however began to understand zero and its importance. The oldest Hindu mathematical manuscript found is the Bakhshali Manuscript. It is believed to be from somewhere between 2 B.C. and 3 A.D. In 499 A.D. Aryabhata wrote his treatise that is called Aryabhatiya. In this work it was clear that he was using a place-value system although he did not show a symbol for zero. A place-value system requires a place holder (which we use zero) to write a number like 103 differently from 13. Around 650 A.D. Brahmagupta was the first to formalize arithmetic operations with zero. He wrote rules for them. The only error in his rules was the division of zero. As any mathematician can tell you today that you cannot divide by zero. I always used the example of a bag of candy being divided among zero friends. It just doesn't make sense. 

Brahmagupta By anonymus [Public domain],
 via Wikimedia Commons

The Hindu ideas reached China by 800 A.D. At that time the Chinese were using a place-value system, however did not have a symbol for zero. The Chinese adapted zero from the Hindu system and began to represent zero with a small circle. Zero reached Baghdad around 773 A.D. and was used in the development of the Arabic numbers. Mohammed ibn-Musa al-Khowarizmi commonly known as al-Khowarizmi, wrote a book about the Hindu number system that spread throughout the Arab world and beyond. Zero was written almost the same as we write it by 879 A.D. The numbers are often called Arabic numerals or Hindu-Arabic Numerals. Our zero and place-value system came from the Hindu system. Since Spain was part of the Arab world, the Hindu system reached there by 1000 A.D., however it would be a couple more centuries before it spread to the rest of Europe. 

In 1202 Leonardo Fibonacci wrote a book, Liber Abaci or Abacus Book, explaining the benefits of the Hindu number system (versus the Roman numerals the Italians had been using). Fibonacci had discovered the Hindu number system while traveling through Arab lands in search of goods for his father's store. European mathematicians soon began using the Hindu numerals, however most merchants and bankers were unwilling to change. In fact I have read that the Italian government was suspicious of the Arabic symbols because of the ease to change them to a different one so they outlawed using them. Up to this point the abacus was the prevalent tool to do any arithmetic operations.  

Sources: 

Wikipedia: Bakhshali Manuscript, Aryabhata,
"The History of Zero", Nils-Bertil Wallin, Yale Global, November 19, 2002. 
"Who Invented Zero?", Jessie Szalay, Live Science, June 28, 2013.
The History of Zero: Exploring Our Place-Value System, Tika Downey, The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 2010.

Resources for Younger Kids

Now introducing the history of zero to a kindergartner was fun. We found this great book, The History of Zero: Exploring Our Place-Value System by Tika Downey. It gives a great overview of the history in terms Hazel could understand. It also explains the importance of zero in our modern society. Things like how computers use a binary number system involving only zero and one. Of course even further things are true for why we need zero. Calculus, algebra and so many other types of math could not exist without it.  We also found some fun books with zero or about zero.

The Best of Times was a bit over Hazel head, but is perfect for anyone learning to multiply. The last three are stories. The Secret Life of Math has a wonderful extension of the importance of zero. Have kids go all day (or maybe just a few hours) without using the word zero or any word that means zero. That means not using none, nothing, etc. Get them to really realize it by asking them how many of their least favorite food they want. It also has a few sections about the abacus and the Chinese abacus. The abacus as we know it today is the Chinese abacus which was invented around 1200 A.D. Other extensions on Asian Mathematics and/or zero is to look into the history of algebra, trigonometry and calculus. Now it is time for the giveaway!!


 
 Multicultural Kid Blogs is excited to announce our second annual Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Blog Series and Giveaway! See our main page for a full schedule, and be sure to enter the amazing giveaway below! The giveaway starts Monday, May 4 and goes through Monday, June 1. Enter for a chance to win one of these amazing prizes! Please note that there are shipping restrictions on some prizes. In the event that the winner lives outside of the shipping area, that portion of the prize will be added to the following prize package.

Grand Prize Package

The Grand Prize Package includes:

Personal Tea Ceremony Gift Set from Gift a Feast Includes everything you need to prepare and enjoy matcha, the tea served in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Enjoy being part of the journey of matcha tea from the temples of 12th century Buddhist monks to today! US shipping only

Calin Yang Doll from Pattycake Doll Company For the parents of Multicultural, Biracial, Black or Asian children, finding that perfect doll used to be a challenge. But today all that has changed. Pattycake Doll Company is the recognized source for Black, Asian, Hispanic, Biracial, and Multicultural Dolls as well as Dolls for Boys, and donate 10% of profits to children's charities. This month's contest winner will receive the most popular Asian Baby Doll in the world - Calin Yang by Corolle.

Asian Kites from Tuttle Publishing Kids will learn how to make colorful kites while exploring Asian culture and history with this easy-to-follow crafts for kids book.

All About Japan from Tuttle Publishing 2012 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award Winner! A cultural adventure for kids, All About Japan offers a journey to a new place—and ways to bring it to life! Dive into stories, play some games from Japan, learn some Japanese songs.

Hello, Bali from Kids Yoga Stories Say good day to the magical island of Bali through these energizing yoga poses for kids. Join one of the Yoga Kids, Anamika, as you surf like a surfer, dance like a Balinese dancer, and sit like a monkey. Included is a list of Kids Yoga Poses, Basic Indonesian phrases, and a Parent-Teacher Guide with tips on creating a successful yoga experience.

1st Prize Package

The 1st Prize Package includes:

Udon Noodle Bowls from Uncommon Goods Whether you're hosting a dinner party or lounging on the couch, this creation is ideal for udon, soup or stir-fry. A blend of a mug and a bowl, the handmade piece is contoured to fit snugly in the palm of your hand. Black lacquer bamboo chopsticks included. US Shipping only

Japanese House Architectural Blocks Set from HABA One of the oldest cultures in the world also has one of the most beautiful forms of architecture. Complicated multi-tier roofs and ornate pagodas allow the builder to create temples, palaces or calming formal gardens. With this set your child can take their imagination on a trip to Japan in the safety of their own living room. US/Canada Shipping Only

All About Indonesia from Tuttle Publishing A book for children that takes them on an adventure through one of the world's largest and most culturally diverse countries. Along the way, kids are introduced to Indonesian culture and history, the food, the language, and the natural beauty of this fascinating country!

Fun with Asian Food from Tuttle Publishing This Asian cookbook for kids contains fun and easy recipes that children will love to cook and dishes that even the pickiest eaters will savor!

Indian Children's Favorite Stories from Tuttle Publishing This colorfully illustrated multicultural children's book presents Indian fairy tales and other folk stories—providing insight into a rich literary culture.

2nd Prize Package

The 2nd Prize Package includes:

Sushi Slicing Play Set from Melissa & Doug This elegant 24-piece wooden sushi play-food set is packed in a beautiful storage box and includes sliceable sushi rolls, shrimp, tuna, easy-use chopsticks, a cleaver and more. Sushi rolls make realistic chopping sounds when sliced! US/Canada Shipping Only

Countryside from Kevin So An album filled with "heartfelt great songs, great singing and great playing...simply something you'll love if you're a fan of originality, melody, surprising lyrics and beautiful instrumentation, beautifully played." Learn more about this artist and listen to samples of his work here.

Book from the Maui New Zealand series from Global Kids Oz Enjoy a book of from this collection of New Zealand Maori Myths and Legends that every New Zealand child is brought up with in school!

Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella from Lee & Low In the first English retelling of this ancient Cambodian tale, our heroine goes further, survives more, and has to conquer her own mortality to regain her rightful place. Angkat—child of ashes—endures great wrongs as she seeks to rise above the distresses caused by her own family. US Shipping only

Summoning the Phoenix: Poems and Prose About Chinese Musical Instruments from Lee & Low Including both flights of fancy and practical considerations, lively poems capture each child’s musical experience with a different Chinese instrument, while sidebars provide more information about each one. US Shipping only

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story from Lee & Low The incredible true story of the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal. Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award. US Shipping only

Juna's Jar from Lee & Low When her best friend moves away, Juna sets out to search for him with the help of a special jar. What Juna finds is that adventure—and new friends—can be found in the most unexpected places. US Shipping only

A Place Where Sunflowers Grow from Lee & Low A powerful story of hope, recounting the little known tale of the art schools that offered moments of solace and self-expression to Japanese Americans in the US internment camps of World War II. US Shipping only

Enter for a Chance to Win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway