0 to 9 : The Secret History of Numbers — Season 1, Episode 2: The Triumph of Mathematics
Documentary • 53 min • 1 season, 3 episodes • ★ 8.0/10
Episode synopsis
Why do we speak of "Arabic numerals" in Europe, even though they were "invented" in India? How did these ten little symbols begin their triumphant journey around the world from there? Why did zero change the course of history? The second episode follows the trail of Brahmins visiting Baghdad, Arab scientists, and traders in the Sahara.
About 0 to 9 : The Secret History of Numbers
The history of our modern Indo-Arabic numeral system begins in Mesopotamia, leads through India to the Arab world – and from there around the globe. This three-part series explores how the "Arabic numerals" began their triumphant march and the special role that zero played in this process. From its beginnings to modern computer science – today, numbers are the universal language of the world.