An introduction to mathematics, by A. N. Whitehead.

CHAPTER V
THE SYMBOLISM OF MATHEMATICS
WE now return to pure mathematics, and
consider more closely the apparatus of ideas
out of which the science is built. Our first
concern is with the symbolism of the science,
and we start with the simplest and universally
known symbols, namely those of arithmetic.
Let us assume for the present that we have
sufficiently clear ideas about the integral
numbers, represented in the Arabic notation
by 0,1,2,..., 9, 10, 11,... 100, 101,...and
so on. This notation was introduced into
Europe through the Arabs, but they apparently obtained it from Hindoo sources. The
first known work* in which it is systematically explained is a work by an Indian mathematician, Bhaskara (born 1114 A.D.). But
the actual numerals can be traced back to the
seventh century of our era, and perhaps were
originally invented in Tibet. For our present
* For the detailed historical facts relating to pure mathematics, I am chiefly indebted to A Short History of Mathematics,
by W. W. R. Ball.
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