Two added to two equals four. One minute is equal to 60 seconds. Sixty minutes make up one hour. A day consists of 24 hours. A year is made up of 365 days. These are all fundamental facts that we are familiar with, and they emphasize the significance of one thing: numbers.
Imagine a world without numbers. It is safe to say that our society would not have progressed to its current state without numbers. The scientific and technological advancements that our society is built upon rely on mathematics, which in turn relies on numbers.
Despite their importance, the origins of numbers remain mostly unknown. This is because the ancient prehistoric people who likely developed basic counting methods did not leave behind any records to explain themselves.
Based on common sense and ancient evidence, it is believed that numbers and counting began with the concept of one. Although they may not have referred to it as “one,” prehistoric people likely counted by ones and kept track by making lines on a bone.
Evidence of this practice, dating back as far as 20,000 years ago, can be found on an ancient artifact known as the Ishango Bone. Discovered in Africa in 1960, the Ishango Bone (a baboon fibula) features a series of lines that resemble tally marks.
Counting and keeping track of small quantities with tally marks was sufficient for individuals and small groups. However, as societies started to form and grow, trade became more complex, necessitating the development of numbers for basic mathematical calculations.
Historians believe that numbers and counting expanded beyond one around 4,000 B.C. in Sumeria, located in southern Mesopotamia (now southern Iraq). As one of the first civilizations with trade-centered cities, the people of Sumeria needed new counting and record-keeping methods.
While new numbers and counting systems were being developed in Sumeria, so were the fundamentals of arithmetic and writing. Keeping track of traded goods required writing, basic addition and subtraction, and an expanded system of numbers and counting.
All of these foundational concepts developed simultaneously as cities grew and trade flourished. Some historians suggest that similar ideas also independently developed in other parts of the world.
For example, the Arabic numeral system that we are familiar with today is usually attributed to two ancient Indian mathematicians: Brahmagupta from the 6th century B.C. and Aryabhat from the 5th century B.C.
Eventually, numbers became necessary not only for counting but also for measurement. We owe the ancient Egyptians for the transition from using numbers for counting to using them for measuring. Historians believe that their use of numbers for measurement enabled the ancient Egyptians to construct pyramids and lay the groundwork for advanced mathematical concepts, such as geometry.
Give It a Try
Are you ready to start counting? Don’t forget to explore the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Isn’t it amazing that some of the earliest evidence of numbers was discovered on a bone? Go online and visit the Mathematical Treasure: Ishango Bone page to learn more about this fascinating artifact. If you had come across this bone, would you have understood its significance and what it represented?
- Do you heavily rely on numbers in your daily life? You might be surprised! Challenge yourself to go as long as possible without using any numbers. That means no TV, since numbers are needed to select channels. You can’t even heat up a snack in the microwave, as it requires numbers for programming the cook time. How else do numbers come into play? Once you start thinking about it, you’ll be amazed at how intertwined numbers are in your everyday life!
- You’re probably familiar with the typical base-10 number system that uses digits from 0 to 9. But did you know that there are other number systems like base-8, base-2, and even base-16? Explore the online resource on Number Systems to discover how these alternative number systems work!
Sources of Wonder
- https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865560110/A-brief-history-of-numbers-and-counting-Part-1-Mathematics-advanced-with-civilization.html
- http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-humans-invented-numbersand-how-numbers-reshaped-our-world-180962485/
- http://www.whoinvented.org/who-invented-numbers/
FAQ
1. Who invented numbers?
Numbers have been a fundamental part of human civilization for thousands of years, but it is difficult to attribute their invention to a specific individual. The concept of numbers and counting likely developed gradually as early humans needed to keep track of quantities and trade goods.
2. How did the concept of numbers evolve?
The concept of numbers evolved over time as humans developed more advanced civilizations. Early humans used simple counting methods, such as tally marks, to keep track of quantities. As societies became more complex, the need for a more sophisticated number system arose.
3. When were the first numbers used?
The earliest evidence of numbers comes from ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians in Mesopotamia and the Egyptians. These civilizations developed their own number systems, which laid the foundation for the numbers we use today. The Sumerians, for example, used a sexagesimal (base-60) system, while the Egyptians used a decimal (base-10) system.
4. How did the invention of numbers impact human civilization?
The invention of numbers had a profound impact on human civilization. It allowed for more accurate record-keeping, facilitated trade and commerce, and paved the way for advancements in mathematics, science, and technology. Numbers are essential for understanding the world around us and are used in various fields, from finance to engineering to medicine.
Leave a Reply