A Chinese genesis: Rewriting the history of our numeral system (Q1202985)

`Our Numeral System' in the title of this paper stands for the modern numeral system which are usually referred to as `Hindu-Arabic numerals'. The author intentionally avoided using the latter, since he argues that `our' system was originated in China, especially from the Chinese rod numeral system. The argument is based on a comparative study of the three central features, namely, (i) nine signs and the concept of zero, (ii) a place value system and (iii) a decimal system. Since the Chinese rod system, with all these features, is the oldest, the author considers that the original Chinese concept diffused to India and, ultimately, to the West. The author emphasizes the importance of distinguishing the conceptual similarity and notational similarity in the numeral systems. It is hoped that this paper evokes further discussion.