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The number zero is needed in the Hindu-Arabic numeral system because as for example it tells us that there is a difference between 207 and 27 but in the Roman numeral system a zero number is not needed because we automatically know that there is a difference between CCVII and XXVII. In fact the Romans had a symbol for zero which was N and its Latin word is 'nihil'

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Q: Why didn't the Romans use the number zero?
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Why don't you use roman numerals now?

Because the Romans didn't understand the concept of the number "Zero". If there is nothing, then why bother writing it down? The Arabs, whose sumeric system we use, were very advanced in math and came up with the concept that the number zero can be used in equations and calculations. So we use that system instead of the Roman system. ...that and the Romans didn't have decimals.


Why don't you use roman numerals?

They're great for clocks, but try doing basic calculations with them. The Romans had no representation for the number zero. It was the Greeks who invented Zero as a number. Therefore calculations with Roman numerals is extremely difficult.


Have the roman numerals changed over time?

Yes, the Romans used the numeral IIII to represent the number 4 but it has since become more common to use the numeral IV. The Romans had no numeral for the number zero but during the middle ages monks, who wrote in Latin and used Roman numerals, introduced the character N (from the Latin Nullae, meaning nothing) to represent zero.


Did Romans have a zero in their numeral system?

Yes the Romans had a symbol for zero which was N but there was no need to use it because the positional place value of Roman numerals are self explanatory. For example to write out 501 we need to include a zero to represent its real value but the equivalent of 501 in Roman numerals is DI which does not require a zero symbol.


What is The roman numeral of 0?

The Romans did not have a symbol for 0. We use it to mulitpy a number by 10, 100, 1000 etc but the Romans had specific numerals for these values, X, C and M, they did not tack a zero onto the end of numbers. Apparently the symbol N for Nullae (nothing) was used in later times by monks, to express a value of zero when they were writing in Roman numerals.

Related questions

What Number system did not use the place value system?

The Romans didnt use the place value system


Why didn't Romans use the number zero?

The number zero is needed in the Hindu-Arabic numeral system because as for example it tells us that there is a difference between 207 and 27 but in the Roman numeral system a zero number is not needed because we automatically know that there is a difference between CCVII and XXVII. In fact the Romans had a symbol for zero which was N and its Latin word is 'nihil'


Why don't you use roman numerals now?

Because the Romans didn't understand the concept of the number "Zero". If there is nothing, then why bother writing it down? The Arabs, whose sumeric system we use, were very advanced in math and came up with the concept that the number zero can be used in equations and calculations. So we use that system instead of the Roman system. ...that and the Romans didn't have decimals.


Why don't you use roman numerals?

They're great for clocks, but try doing basic calculations with them. The Romans had no representation for the number zero. It was the Greeks who invented Zero as a number. Therefore calculations with Roman numerals is extremely difficult.


Have the roman numerals changed over time?

Yes, the Romans used the numeral IIII to represent the number 4 but it has since become more common to use the numeral IV. The Romans had no numeral for the number zero but during the middle ages monks, who wrote in Latin and used Roman numerals, introduced the character N (from the Latin Nullae, meaning nothing) to represent zero.


Did Romans have a zero in their numeral system?

Yes the Romans had a symbol for zero which was N but there was no need to use it because the positional place value of Roman numerals are self explanatory. For example to write out 501 we need to include a zero to represent its real value but the equivalent of 501 in Roman numerals is DI which does not require a zero symbol.


When do you use a negative rational number?

You use a negative rational number when an answer is below zero.


Why did the Romans not use a zero?

They did not need a zero. The number zero was invented by the Indians (not sure when). But when Romans wanted to write 10it was just X. No need for a zeroAlso, they did not recognize the polarity of magnetism or the need to identify neutrality with a "zero" placeholder.


What is The roman numeral of 0?

The Romans did not have a symbol for 0. We use it to mulitpy a number by 10, 100, 1000 etc but the Romans had specific numerals for these values, X, C and M, they did not tack a zero onto the end of numbers. Apparently the symbol N for Nullae (nothing) was used in later times by monks, to express a value of zero when they were writing in Roman numerals.


Are there number systems when there is no zero?

Yes, older number systems tended not to use the zero. But that makes those number systems rather limited.


In Greek numerals is there a symbol for zero?

No, the Ancient Greek number system did not use zero as a place value, or number for that matter.


What is 0 in roman numerals?

The Romans did not have the concept of zero-- there is no Roman numeral for zero. This lack made it virtually impossible to do arithmetic with Roman numerals and that is why we use Arabic numerals nowadays.