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)
2)
3)
4)

Who (or what group) first discovered zero?

What limited its adoption in the west?
What figure(s) was/were instrumental in its adoption in the west?
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 16 th.
Grade Value: The essay is not additive to your grade, but failure to complete the
essay to Mr. Ricchuitis satisfaction will result in a significant grade penalty
(approximately equal to a zero, fittingly, on a test grade).