How did the achievements of the Gupta empire make higher-level mathematics possible?
(1 point)
Responses
They invented writing materials that allowed for the easy correction of mistakes.
They invented writing materials that allowed for the easy correction of mistakes.
They developed the idea of multiplication as repeated addition.
They developed the idea of multiplication as repeated addition.
They discovered the number pi and were the first to calculate the area of a circle.
They discovered the number pi and were the first to calculate the area of a circle.
They invented the numeral zero and the decimal system of numbers.
They invented the numeral zero and the decimal system of numbers.
The correct response is:
They invented the numeral zero and the decimal system of numbers.
The correct answer is: They invented the numeral zero and the decimal system of numbers.
To understand how the achievements of the Gupta empire made higher-level mathematics possible, we need to examine the specific contributions they made. The Gupta empire, which ruled a large part of ancient India from around 320 to 550 CE, made significant advancements in the field of mathematics.
One of their most important contributions was the invention of the numeral zero and the decimal system of numbers. This revolutionary concept laid the foundation for higher-level mathematics by introducing the concept of place value. The decimal system allowed for the representation of numbers using just ten digits (0-9) and the positional notation, where the value of a digit depends on its position in the number.
The numeral zero, in particular, was a momentous invention as it provided a placeholder for an empty position in a number, enabling more complex calculations and precise representation of large numbers. This concept of zero was groundbreaking and became a fundamental tool in mathematics.
By introducing the decimal system and the numeral zero, the Gupta empire made higher-level mathematics possible by providing a solid framework for counting, calculations, and advanced mathematical concepts. These inventions greatly influenced subsequent mathematical developments and had a significant impact on the understanding and progress of mathematics worldwide.