The use of zero is traced to the Indian mathematician Aryabhata who, about 520 A.D.,
devised a positional decimal number system that contained a word, "kha," for the idea
of a placeholder. By 876, based on an existing tablet inscription with that date, the kha
had become the symbol "0". Meanwhile, somewhat after Aryabhata, another Indian,
Brahmagupta, developed the concept of the zero as an actual independent number, not just
a place-holder, and wrote rules for adding and subtracting zero from other numbers. The
Indian writings were passed on to al-Khwarizmi (from whose name we derive the term algorithm)
and thence to Leonardo Fibonacci and others who continued to develop the concept and
the number.

Aryabhatta was the first to propose these two statements.
1 (or n) X 0 = 0
1 (or n) / 0 = Infinity
Both these brought a consistency to the mathematical calculations, that was not around
before.

Through this series I have tried to highlight the cultural and religious diversity of India
and the rich history that it occupies. However to end the series I wanted to emphasize
the scientific accomplishments. From Aryabhatta to Ramanujan to Subramanyan Chandrasekhar to
Amartya Sen to our president Abdul Kalam, there have been many great scientists and
great thinkers.

Today India is developing into a leader in technology and development and this will lead India
through this century.