A brief history of banned numbers - Alessandra King
TED-Ed・3 minutes read
Throughout history, numbers have been seen as dangerous, leading to bans in some cultures for discovering irrational numbers, while the introduction of Hindu-Arabic numerals, including zero, faced resistance over concerns of forgery and record-keeping. Even today, certain numbers remain illegal due to their symbolic meanings, leading to potential criminal consequences for possessing or publishing them, such as the code used to decrypt DVDs in 2001.
Insights
- The historical banning of numbers, including irrational ones, due to fears of their implications or misuse highlights the significance and power attributed to numerical systems in various cultures throughout history.
- The resistance to adopting Hindu-Arabic numerals, notably zero, due to concerns about forgery and debt recording, demonstrates the societal impact and implications of numerical innovations, shaping laws and regulations around their usage to prevent perceived threats.
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Recent questions
Why have numbers been banned in history?
Numbers were considered dangerous and banned due to fears of irrational numbers and resistance to new numeral systems.
What was the significance of Hindu-Arabic numerals?
Hindu-Arabic numerals introduced zero but faced resistance due to forgery fears.
Are certain numbers still illegal today?
Yes, some numbers are illegal due to symbolic meanings or sensitive information.
What consequences did individuals face for discovering irrational numbers?
Individuals faced exile or punishment for discovering irrational numbers.
How did authorities react to the use of Hindu-Arabic numerals?
Authorities banned their use for record-keeping due to fears of forgery.
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Summary
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Forbidden Numbers Throughout History
- Numbers, like words, have been considered dangerous enough to be banned throughout history, with some cultures even exiling or punishing individuals who discovered irrational numbers that couldn't be expressed by whole numbers or fractions.
- The introduction of Hindu-Arabic numerals, including zero, faced resistance from authorities due to fears of forgery and the recording of debt, leading to bans on their use for record-keeping in places like Florence in the 13th century.
- Certain numbers are still illegal today due to their symbolic meanings or the information they represent, with possession or publication of these numbers potentially being treated as a criminal offense, as seen in the case of code used to decrypt DVDs in 2001.
