2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06580
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Non-power positional number representation systems, bijective numeration, and the Mesoamerican discovery of zero

Abstract: Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica was a fertile crescent for the development of number systems. A form of vigesimal system seems to have been present from the first Olmec civilization onwards, to which succeeding peoples made contributions. We discuss the Maya use of the representational redundancy present in their Long Count calendar, a non-power positional number representation system with multipliers 1, 20, 18 × 20, …, 18 × 20 n . We demonstrate that the Mesoamericans did not need to inve… Show more

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Cited by 3 publications
(2 citation statements)
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References 25 publications
(22 reference statements)
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“…where k can equal 0 [ 0  ] and k = 1 represents the first of N ordered geometric elements in the metric space of cycle fractions. Rt unit natural-number counts are consistent with Babylonian sexagesimal place-value notation, a 60-base system using finite sequences of sexagesimal digits 00, 01, …, 58, and 59, where both the first and last digits are non-null [52] [53], and the Mesoamerican vigesimal base-20 counting system (00, 01, …, 18, 19) [54]. In comparison to the Rt system, 00 corresponds to both 0 and 60 in a cycle, 1 0/60 = 60/60, or 1 0/20 = 20/20.…”
Section: Dimensional Quantities and Rt Unitsmentioning
confidence: 94%
“…where k can equal 0 [ 0  ] and k = 1 represents the first of N ordered geometric elements in the metric space of cycle fractions. Rt unit natural-number counts are consistent with Babylonian sexagesimal place-value notation, a 60-base system using finite sequences of sexagesimal digits 00, 01, …, 58, and 59, where both the first and last digits are non-null [52] [53], and the Mesoamerican vigesimal base-20 counting system (00, 01, …, 18, 19) [54]. In comparison to the Rt system, 00 corresponds to both 0 and 60 in a cycle, 1 0/60 = 60/60, or 1 0/20 = 20/20.…”
Section: Dimensional Quantities and Rt Unitsmentioning
confidence: 94%
“…Also consistent with the Mesoamerican vigesimal base-20 counting system (0, 01, •••, 18, 19). [33] [34] An axiom in Rt relationalism relevant to this article is that physical timelines can be divided and subdivided to intervals that reach quantum limits, where an interval in time cannot be reduced any further. Therefore, there is zero of time in physical dimensional reality as defined by signals with no dimensional duration between them.…”
Section: Units; Dimension Symmetry Order and Zeromentioning
confidence: 99%