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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.

When and where did the first written numeral system begin to take form?

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Meet The Creators

  • Director Jessica Oreck
  • Producer Rachael Teel

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