Five Marks

Assignment: Today we take numbers like zero or the negatives for granted as a part of our number system, but historically that was not the case. Your assignment is to investigate the history of zero, answering at least, but not only, the following questions:

1) Who (or what group) first discovered zero?2) What limited its adoption in the west?3) What figure(s) was/were instrumental in its adoption in the west?4) Around what time was it first discovered? How long did it take to be put into practice in the

majority of the known world?5) Why is the concept of infinity intimately tied together with the concept of zero?

Sources: You are expected to include a bibliography with at least three independent sources.

Length: Your essay should be no less than four (4) double-spaced pages in length.

Due Date: The completed final draft is due Friday, May 16th.

Grade Value: The essay is not additive to your grade, but failure to complete the essay to Mr. Ricchuiti’s satisfaction will result in a significant grade penalty (approximately equal to a zero, fittingly, on a test grade).