Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c5.s7.3

c5.s7.3

The concept of 'nothingness' or 'void' in mathematical system was first introduced by the Babylonians ( 14th century B.C. ) who left an empty space in between two other numeral symbols along with their sexagesimal place-value system.³ But this gave rise to much confusion for giving any quantitative expression of the numerical value involved as there can be no fixed standard for an empty space to allow for its unambiguous repetitions. It therefore, helped very little in the symbolical expression of mathematical figures.