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Mathematics

Numbers (maths001)

Quick fact

The concept of zero as a number was a revolutionary invention; it allowed for place value systems and made modern arithmetic possible. Without zero, you wouldn't be able to distinguish between 10, 100, and 1,000.

Why this is interesting

You use numbers every day without thinking—but have you ever wondered what a number actually is? A number is not a physical object, yet it can describe everything from apples to atoms. How can something so abstract be so powerful?