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Mysteries of vernacular: Zero - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel

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TEDEd Animation

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Though the first written number system can be dated back to 2500 years ago in Mesopotamia, a zero-like symbol did not appear until 7th century CE India. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel track the evolution of zero from a dot to the symbol we use today, as well as the Arabic, Italian and French roots of the word.

What are the two ways that zero is used?

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Meet The Creators

  • Director Jessica Oreck
  • Producer Rachael Teel

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