What is a Number?
Numbers form the basis of math and many aspects of our life, but what exactly are they? Numbers have been around for millennia, yet few have considered the origins and development of the concept. By looking back at our ancient predecessors and understanding how we use numbers now, we can unravel the mystery and truly understand what a number is.
Early Numbers
The concept of counting and numbers has been used for since the Stone Age, millennia ago. The oldest known number system dates back to 34,000 BCE and was discovered on carved antlers from a woolly rhinoceros found in Czechoslovakia. These antlers had sequences of incised chevrons that represented units of one, two, or three, corresponding to tally markings used for counting objects and sets of objects. Even the natural world has been used to represent numbers as evidenced by notches on bones and teeth to represent numerical tallies. As time went on, more advanced notation systems were developed, starting with the Sumerians and being refined by the Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians.
Numbers in Everyday Life
Today, numbers are used to measure and quantify virtually everything from length and weight to dates and times. For instance, in the US, an inch is measured with the imperial system at one thousandth of a yard or 25.4 millimeters. In the SI system, a meter is defined as the length of the path traveled by light in a vacuum in a span of 1/299,792,458 of a second. Our time is based on the Gregorian calendar, where years are calculated starting from the birth of Christ and months are named after their position in the year. Numbers are used to denote number of days in the year, week, or month and the hours, minutes, and seconds within each progression.
Modern Numbers
Modern mathematics also utilizes high-level numeration, allowing us to tackle complex operations and equations. Examples include the identification of prime numbers, Fibonacci sequences, and decimals. With continued progress in mathematics, calculations have become increasingly sophisticated and integral in the exploration of scientific subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology.
In conclusion, numbers have been used for millennia to aide in the documentation, organization, and understanding of various concepts. From counting to complex calculations, numbers encapsulate a wealth of knowledge and are an invaluable tool in our everyday lives.