Hindu–Arabic numeral system facts for kids

Arabic and Western Arabic numerals on a road sign in Abu Dhabi

The Hindu–Arabic numeral system, sometimes known as Hindu–Arabic numbers, is the system of numbers used by almost all the world today. This system has ten basic symbols, they are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The Hindu–Arabic numeral system was first developed by the Hindus. Later, It was introduced to the western world by the Arabs. The Hindu–Arabic numeral system is one of the only numeral systems that use a place value system. This system is now commonly used all over the world.

In the past many other systems were used.

Images for kids

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  Modern-day Arab telephone keypad with two forms of Arabic numerals: Western Arabic numerals on the left and Eastern Arabic numerals on the right

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  The first Brahmi numerals, ancestors of Hindu-Arabic numerals, used by Ashoka in his Edicts of Ashoka c. 250 BC

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  Development of Hindu–Arabic numerals

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  The Arabic numeral system first appeared in Europe in the Spanish Codex Vigilanus, year 976.

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  Gregor Reisch, Madame Arithmatica, 1508

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  A calculation table [de], used for arithmetic using Roman numerals

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  Adam Ries, Rechenung auff der linihen und federn, 1522

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  Two arithmetic books published in 1514 – Köbel (left) using a calculation table and Böschenteyn using numerals

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  Adam Ries, Rechenung auff der linihen und federn (2nd Ed.), 1525

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  Robert Recorde, The ground of artes, 1543

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  Peter Apian, Kaufmanns Rechnung, 1527

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  Adam Ries, Rechenung auff der linihen und federn (2nd Ed.), 1525

See also

In Spanish: Numeración indo-arábiga para niños