History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c7.s14.11

v1.c7.s14.11

In Europe the first definite traces of the place-value numerals are found in the tenth and eleventh centuries, but the numerals came into general use in mathematical text books in the seventeenth century. In India Āryabhaṭa I (499), Bhâskara I (522), Lalla (*c.* 598), and Brahmagupta (628), all use the place-value numerals. There is no trace of any other system of notation in their works. Following the analogy of Europe, we may conclude, on the evidence furnished by Hindu mathematical works alone, that the place-value system might have been known in India about 200 B.C.