Notes on early numbering systems

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Early written number systems were not for reckoning, but to record data and the results of calculations performed on abaci. eg: MDCCCLVII times LII could not be done on paper like we do with our present day numerals.

Hindu-Arabic arithmetic entered Europe with the great Moorish invasions of the 8th and 9th centuries. Acceptance was slow throughout the 13th to 17th centuries.

The concept of "Zero" slowly developed around 8^th century, AD. This allowed the development of the "Positional Number System" that we take for granted.

In 1299 A.D. - merchants of Florence were forbidden to use the Hindu-Arabic arithmetic and symbols in their accounts

Other Web References:

History Of Numeral Systems Chani Welch Presented 6/2/95 Received 6/9/95 Early Chronolgy: ...

http://scholar.chem.nyu.edu/~tekpages/arabnums.html The introduction of Arabic numbers into Europe.