The Invention of Zero: Aryabhata and the Concept of Nothingness

When was zero 0 discovered? This question has intrigued scholars and enthusiasts for centuries, with the earliest recorded mention attributed to Aryabhata, an Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 5th century CE.

Aryabhata: The Pioneer of Negative Numbers

In the 7th century, Aryabhata was a prominent figure in the classical age of Indian mathematics and astronomy. Although there is no hard evidence to suggest that zero was specifically invented by Aryabhata, his work on negative numbers and the concept of zero is a significant milestone in the history of mathematics.

Aryabhata was once sitting in his class, pondering the concept of zero. He realized that if he were to count the number of girls in his class, he would not have a starting point since the smallest positive number was 1. Reflecting on this, he concluded that zero represented the absence of quantity or a starting point, making it both a number and a concept that evaded traditional classification:

This made him realize that the condition he is working with is a circle. On a circle, every point is the starting and ending point, and you can start from any point but never come to the end of the path. So he designated a small circle, which later came to be called as zero, a number which is neither positive nor negative.

The Role of Brahmagupta

While Aryabhata is often credited for the early concept of zero, it is Brahmagupta who is known for formalizing the rules involving zero in arithmetic operations. Brahmagupta, a mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 7th century, clearly defined the operations of zero:

Addition: The sum of a number and zero is the number itself.

Subtraction: The difference between a number and zero is the number itself.

Multiplication: The product of a number and zero is zero.

Division: Division by zero is undefined and division of zero by a number is zero.

Brahmagupta's work, Brahmasphutasiddhanta, was a significant step in the mathematical understanding of zero. His formulation of the rules for arithmetic operations involving zero laid the foundation for modern mathematics and computing.

The Universality of Nothingness

The introduction of zero reflects the cultural and religious backdrop of Hinduism, which teaches that everything starts from nothingness. This concept is deeply intertwined with the idea of infinity and the omnipresence of the creator, or God. In this context, zero does not represent the absence of meaning but rather a starting point from which infinite possibilities emerge.

Aryabhata and Zero in Vedic Mathematics

While the fictional story about Aryabhata and the concept of zero is not historically accurate, it highlights the importance of zero in mathematics. Vedic mathematics, as taught in the ancient texts, contains 16 primary sutras and numerous sub-sutras. These sutras are not just mathematical formulas but also principles that can be applied to various fields, including physics and engineering. Understanding these sutras in Sanskrit can provide a deeper insight into the roots of modern mathematics.

References to zero in Vedic mathematics can be found in the works of ancient scholars. Although the exact origin and formalization of zero are attributed to Brahmagupta, the concept of zero and its significance in mathematics can be traced back to the early works of Aryabhata and other Indian mathematicians.

It is important to note that the development and understanding of zero were not confined to a single individual or period. Over time, the concept of zero evolved and was refined by various mathematicians and scholars across different cultures. Aryabhata and Brahmagupta were key contributors to this evolution, and their work laid the foundation for the mathematical and computational advancements that we see today.