History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c3.7

v1.c3.7

Part I which is now being published contains two chapters. Chapter I gives an account of the various devices employed by the Hindus for denoting numbers. The gradual evolution of the decimal place-value system of notation has been traced and all evidence relating to its use in India collected together for the first time. This evidence shows that the system was in use in India during the earliest centuries of the Christian era, if not earlier. We hope that the facts set forth in this chapter will finally set at rest the controversy about its place of origin. Considerations of space have prevented us from giving details regarding the introduction of the Hindu numerals into Arabia, Northern Africa and Europe. A brief account has, however, been included.