X Tables
Maths History

The story of Arabic numerals

Introduce the numerals used widely today and how number writing travelled.

Quick answer

The numerals we use today – 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 – were developed in India over 1,000 years ago. They were later adopted and improved by Arab mathematicians, which is why we call them "Arabic numerals". These numbers are now used all over the world because they make counting and calculations easy.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how the numbers we use today came from India and were improved by Arab mathematicians, and how this system helps us count and do maths more easily. Success signs:
  • You can explain where the numbers 0 to 9 came from.
  • You can tell the difference between old and new ways of writing numbers.
  • You can use Arabic numerals to count and solve simple problems.
  • You can imagine how numbers were used in daily life long ago.

Why this matters

Numbers are everywhere in our lives. When you count your toys, check the time, or share your snacks, you’re using the same number system that was created over 1,000 years ago. Understanding where these numbers come from helps you appreciate how clever and useful maths can be. It also helps you see how ideas travel from one place to another and get better along the way.

How it works

Let’s follow the story of numbers from India to the world. First, Indian mathematicians created a special way to write numbers using just ten symbols – 0 to 9. Then, Arab scholars took these numbers and made them even better. Later, European traders and scholars brought these numbers to Europe, where they became the standard way to write numbers we use today.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re a young explorer who travels through time to see how numbers were written in different places: India (around 500 AD): In India, people used symbols to show numbers. These were very different from today’s numbers. For example, the number 5 was written with a special symbol that looked like a dot or a line. Arabia (around 800 AD): Arab mathematicians saw the Indian numbers and liked how simple they were. They improved the system by adding a new symbol for zero. This helped them do more complex maths. They also changed the shape of the numbers to make them easier to write. Europe (around 1200 AD): A famous Italian mathematician named Fibonacci brought the new number system to Europe. People were slow to trust it at first, but soon everyone saw how useful it was. Today: Now, we use these Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) all the time. They make it easy to count, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a time-traveler who must find the secret of the numbers! Your mission is to visit three places and collect clues about how numbers changed over time. Step 1: Visit ancient India. You see numbers written like this: 1 = |, 2 = ||, 3 = |||, 4 = ||||, 5 = |||||. You notice they are very long and hard to write. Step 2: Visit Arabia. You find a new way of writing numbers. You see 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, but the shapes are different from what you saw in India. You learn that the zero was a big discovery – it helps show when there is nothing. Step 3: Visit Europe. You see these same numbers used in books and shops. You notice that people now use these numbers to do maths quickly and easily. Challenge: Draw your own version of the numbers from each place. Can you see how they changed?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that the numbers we use today are the same as those used by ancient Egyptians or Romans. Why it happens: Children may not know that many number systems were used before Arabic numerals. Fix: Show children how old systems like Roman numerals (I, V, X) were harder to use for calculations than the simple 0 to 9 system.
  • Mistake: Not understanding that zero is a number, not just a blank space. Why it happens: Zero can be confusing because it means "nothing." Fix: Use examples like "You have 0 cookies" or "There are 0 cars in the garage" to show that zero is a real number that means "none."
  • Mistake: Confusing the order of numbers in a sequence. Why it happens: Young children sometimes mix up the order of 1 to 9. Fix: Practice counting forward and backward using fingers, toys, or number lines.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child understand the story of Arabic numerals by:
  • Showing them how numbers look in different cultures (like Roman numerals or ancient Indian symbols).
  • Encouraging them to draw or build their own number system.
  • Practicing counting in different languages or using different number systems.
  • Reading books about maths history or visiting a museum with a maths section.
  • Using real-life examples like counting money or measuring ingredients to show how numbers help in daily life.
Remember: Don’t worry if your child gets confused at first. Learning about the history of numbers is more about curiosity and understanding than perfect recall.

Practice questions

  1. What are the ten symbols we use today for numbers?
  2. Who first developed the number system that became Arabic numerals?
  3. Why was the number zero so important in the development of numbers?
  4. Which two places did the numbers travel through before reaching Europe?
  5. How do Arabic numerals make maths easier than old systems?
Answers:
  1. The ten symbols are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
  2. Indian mathematicians first developed the system.
  3. Zero helped show when there is nothing, and made calculations easier.
  4. India and Arabia.
  5. They are easier to write, and help us do more complex maths quickly.

FAQ

What are Arabic numerals?

Arabic numerals are the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 that we use today. They were developed in India and improved by Arab mathematicians.

Why are they called "Arabic" if they came from India?

They were called "Arabic" because Arab scholars shared and improved the system before it reached Europe.

Who brought Arabic numerals to Europe?

A famous Italian mathematician named Fibonacci brought them to Europe in the 1200s.

How did the number zero help maths?

The number zero helped show "nothing" and made it easier to write big numbers and do calculations.

Can you still see old number systems today?

Yes! You might see Roman numerals on clocks or in old books. Some cultures still use them today.