• verdi@feddit.org
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    5 months ago

    The decimal system likely originated in China and predates indo-arabic and european use by a few centuries.

    • shawn1122@sh.itjust.works
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      5 months ago

      China did have a decimal system, just not one that included zero, nor is it the one we use today. Many cultures used zero as a placeholder before the Indian numeral system was developed. Just not as an actual value that numerical operations could be performed on (which is crucial to almost everything you see around you in some way).

      My original post was not in anyway meant to convey cultural superiority. I am fascinated by how spirituality can impact mathematical and scientific development. I am well aware that many world religions have attempted to lay claim to scientific truth retroactively through their literature.