Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c5.s7.2

c5.s7.2

The concept of 'nothingness' or 'void' which is inherent and instinctive to man of all ages found its expression in the philosophical and literary works of all ancient civilised nations. The feeling of necessity to give a symbolical expression of this concept in mathematical calculation which would permit the representation of a number of only high order without any limit led ultimately to discovery of a symbol for what is now known as zero.