2006-08-08 04:29:32 · 7 answers · asked by indiansoffline 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Many used decimals in history. But i think it was ARYABHATTA who defined decimals officially.
2006-08-08 05:21:25 · answer #1 · answered by nikaro 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes. The decimal system evolved like everything else. However, the Babylonians were the the first to use base 60. The Greeks used base 20 (?). Much later someone introduced 'zero' and radix systems were here to stay.
I don't think anyone knows exactly how the system evolved. It makes sense to prefer radix systems above others because of their simplicity. However, this does not mean they are without problems. For example, infinitely represented numbers are an approximation to the real number. They are not equal to the real number. It has become popular to believe that 0.999... = 1. This is entirely untrue. We have no idea about the dimensions of 0.999... or any other number that is represented infinitely in any radix system. To equate the number to the limit of its series representation is an inconsistent practice since one cannot do this with all numbers. Again, this is a product of a subject called real analysis that is fundamentally flawed.
2006-08-08 12:12:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The decimal number system wasn't actually 'invented' but rather 'evolved' over time. As with any other form of Darwinian selection, it survived because it had a couple of things going for it. Mostly that it was easy to learn and it was easy to use. And it probably didn't hurt the we have 10 digits on our hands. (if we had 8 digits on each hand, we'd probably be using the hexadecimal number system
There have been other number systems in the distant past, but they were really too awkward to be useful in business. (If you want to make yourself crazy, try figuring out how to do long division using Roman Numerals
Doug
2006-08-08 11:46:16 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It evolved in ancient India.
Later Arab traders spread this system to Europe.
And they came to be called as Arabic numerals.
By the way the concept of zero simultaneously originated in many countries in South east asia(inc. India ,China)
2006-08-08 12:14:03 · answer #4 · answered by ryscik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aryabhata
2006-08-08 12:02:46 · answer #5 · answered by helpaneed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dewey (can't remember the first name)
EDIT: Okay it was Melvil Dewey (I looked it up here: http://www.mtsu.edu/~vvesper/dewey.html )
2006-08-08 11:33:02 · answer #6 · answered by oaksterdamhippiechick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it wasn't me
2006-08-08 12:09:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋