Zero

[Bitmap]

Romans didn't seem to have a term for the number 'zero', at least not for the purpose of mathmatics.
Does anyone know if a mathmatical term for zero was introduced into Latin at some point?

 

[Pacifica]

Nihil was, I think, but I don't have any attestation on hand right now.

 

[Bitmap]

This video gives some information on the history of zero:

It says that the concept came from Hindu and entered Europe via North Africa, i.e. via the Arabs.
However, as it entered Europe at the time of the Crusades and was attributed to the Arabs, it was considered a work of the devil. (Around 2:00)

 

[Bitmap]

This video shows some problems around the number zero:

 

[Pacifica]

Here are some examples of nihil used for zero:

"numerus infra nihil" - Recherche Google

www.google.be

Cursus seu Mundus mathematicus

books.google.be

Cf. the similar use of "nought" in English.

And here are instances of zero being borrowed as is:

CURSUS PHILOSOPHICUS AD SCHOLARUM USUM ACCOMODATUS.

books.google.be

Physicae experimentalis elementa R. Panormitanae Academiae usui et experimentis publice instituendis accommodata. Auctore p. Eliseo a Conceptione Carmelita excalceato in eadem R.P.A. physicae experimentalis antecessore, & R.S.A. Neapolitanae academico P.

books.google.be

 

[Laurentius]

This video gives some information on the history of zero:

It says that the concept came from Hindu and entered Europe via North Africa, i.e. via the Arabs.
However, as it entered Europe at the time of the Crusades and was attributed to the Arabs, it was considered a work of the devil. (Around 2:00)

So the Devil did nothing.

 

[Deleted member 13757]

Found this zero in one of the translations of Newton:

Lemma XVI.

A datis tribus punctis ad quartum non datum inflectere tres rectas quarum differentiæ vel dantur vel nullæ sunt.

 

[Issacus Divus]

Yes, zero is "Hindu-Arabic".

 

[Deleted member 13757]

Zefir

zephirum - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

en.wiktionary.org