Have you ever noticed how large of an impact “numbers” have on our daily lives? We rely on numbers for the simplest of activities such as reading the time on the clock, to vast, complex mathematical algorithms which have played a fundamental role in the basis of modern science and technology. In fact, if we think about it closely, without this concept, we, as human beings, would never have evolved to what we are now, and we would never have had the opportunities to invent and discover the things that have shaped present civilisations…
The history of ancient numerical systems dates as far back as around 4,000 years ago. This is when the Egyptians invented the first ciphered numerical system. Not long after, the Greeks followed by mapping their numbers onto Ionian and Doric alphabets.
It is clear, that once we created the concept of “numbers”, they allowed us access to visualise patterns in the natural world that we, perhaps wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise.
Nevertheless, apart from how numbers help us differentiate quantities they play a much larger role in the development of cultures and society across the globe.
Moving east by about 7,000 kilometres, we find ourselves in mainland China. A country known for its staggering variety of delicious delicacies, its martial arts, a long history of invention and its mathematical progress.
The ancient Chinese numbering system, which was created at least 3,500 years ago, used small bamboo rods arranged to represent the numbers 1 to 9, which were then placed in columns representing units; tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.
It was, therefore, a decimal place value system, very similar to the one we use today; indeed it was the first such numerical method, adopted by the Chinese over a thousand years before it was adopted in the West.
There was a fascination with numbers and mathematical patterns in ancient China, and different numbers were believed to have otherworldly significance.
In particular, “magic squares”; matrices of numbers where each row, column and diagonal added up to the same total, were regarded as having great spiritual and religious significance to the Chinese population.
Later, the main push of Chinese mathematics was generated in response to the empire’s growing need for mathematically competent administrators.
A textbook called “Jiuzhang Suanshu”, or “Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art” became an important instrument in the education of philanthropy and covering various problems in constructive areas such as trade, taxation, engineering, and the payment of wages.
By the 13th Century, there were over 30 prestigious mathematics schools scattered across China. One of the most brilliant Chinese mathematicians of this time was Qin Jiushao, an imperial administrator and warrior, who, according to the website, storyofmathematics.com, “explored solutions to quadratic and even cubic equations using a method of repeated approximations very similar to that later devised in the West by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th Century”.
Qin even extended his technique to solve equations involving numbers up to the power of ten, extraordinarily complex mathematics for its time.
These mathematical concepts have led to countless scientific innovations and discoveries that have been the foundation of modern intelligence. Some of the most popular examples include the creation of gunpowder (created in 1000 CE), Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture (created 2,300 years ago), the first rocket (228 CE), and the earliest device used to detect earthquakes (132 CE).
Similarly, today, mathematics is a significant part of Chinese culture. In fact, “being good at math” has become a commonly known stereotype for Chinese society, as well as, South-East Asia, as whole. But is this just an unfounded misconception from the West or does it actually hold some truth?
According to Professor Fredrick Leung, a math educator and researcher, who studies how cultures affect students learning math, China’s “Confucian culture” is responsible for the nation’s excellence in number-related fields.
According to the Professor, “Western parents attribute more the success and failure of their children, especially in mathematics, to innate ability. However, Chinese culture believes that even if one does not possess natural talent, in mathematics, if one puts in enough effort, they will succeed”.
Moreover, there is a famous Chinese proverb, which roughly translates to “diligence cures lack of talent”. This exposes the idea that math is not a skill that is genetically inherited by the Chinese, as the West makes it sound, but rather the product of their hard-working culture and a unique education system, now which allows the Chinese to develop numerical mastery at a young age.
Numerical concepts are not wired into the human condition. But instead, they are learned and acquired through cultural and linguistic communication.
As anthropologist, Caleb Everett, says, “Given they are learned rather than inherited genetically, then it follows that they are not a component of the human mental hardware but are very much part of our mental software; the feature of an app we ourselves have developed”.
Although we sometimes dismiss the importance of numbers, they have been the foundation on which humanity has structured and brought order to society, with distinct sets of rules.
Just imagine a world without numbers. We wouldn’t be able to call our friends and family over large distances, we wouldn’t be able to read the page numbers on our books, we wouldn’t know what year it was, in a boundless ocean of days.
Just think. How have numbers impacted your life?
