---
title: "When and who invented the  Zero (in number system)?"  
description: "When and who invented the  Zero (in number system)?"  
author: "Cox elliott"  
published: 2018-08-30  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/49249/when-and-who-invented-the-zero-in-number-system  
category: "innovation, discovery and technology"  
tags: ["innovation, discovery and technology"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# When and who invented the  Zero (in number system)?

When and who invented the [Zero](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/1264/add-a-zero-to-the-returned-value-if-there-is-no-zero) (in number [system](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/13144/benefits-of-a-small-business-phone-system))?\
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## Answers

### Answer by Harshal Vispute

The **Babylonian concept** is thought to have made its way to India, where the concept of **zero** became a numeral. **[Mathematics](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/31245/how-much-mathematics-knowledge-is-necessary-or-required-in-accounting)** was primarily associated with astronomy in **ancient India**, and it was utilized to communicate philosophical notions. \
In the year **628**, a **Hindu astronomer** and **[mathematician](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/31245/how-much-mathematics-knowledge-is-necessary-or-required-in-accounting)** named **Brahmagupta** created the **first contemporary** counterpart of the **digit zero**. A dot beneath a number was his sign for the numeral. He also devised conventional procedures for achieving zero through addition and subtraction, as well as the outcomes of operations involving the digit. \
![When and who invented the  Zero (in number system)?](https://answers.mindstick.com/QuestionAnswer/2bc217a9-ac93-425b-a502-b5c00c84704a/images/f2bcc73b-51f0-44c4-842f-45c340631e30.jpeg)\
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Inscribed on a temple wall in **Gwalior**, India is a circle dating from the **ninth century**. This is the **oldest known** example of **zero**, according to the **[University of Oxford](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/37821/which-word-was-declared-as-2017-s-word-of-the-year-by-oxford-dictionary)**. \
The numeral can also be seen on the **Bhakehali Manuscript**, an ancient Indian scroll. The scroll was discovered in **1881** and was thought to be a **contemporary** of the **Gwalior temple**, but recent carbon dating places it in the third or **fourth century**. As a result, many scientists believe India found **zero**. \
The **Arabian voyagers** would take zero back to their cities and towns after its development in **India**. By **773 AD**, the number would have reached **Baghdad**. \
It was the **ninth century**, and **Mohammed ibn**-**Musa al**-**Khowarizmi**, a **Persian [mathematician](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/31245/how-much-mathematics-knowledge-is-necessary-or-required-in-accounting)**, worked on equations that equaled zero. As a result, **Algebra** was created. He also created algorithms, which are quick techniques for multiplying and dividing numbers. \
**Zero** was referred to as '**sifr**' by **Al**-**Khwarizmi**, from which our word cipher was derived. By the year **879 AD**, the dot had evolved into an oval shape that resembled the present zero number.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/49249/when-and-who-invented-the-zero-in-number-system

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