-
212 BCE
Archimedes Dies
The Greek mathematician known for Archimedes Principle, the law of hydrostatics, dies. -
200 BCE
References to Negative Numbers
The Chinese used a number rod system representing positive numbers with red rods and negative numbers with black rods. The used this for commercial purposes showing amounts sold with red rods and purchased items with black rods. This led to money balances that were positive and a deficit negative. -
179
First Appearance of Negative Numbers
The Chinese publish The Nine Chapter on the Mathematical Art where negative number appear. -
620
Negative Numbers Appear
Negative numbers appeared for the first time in the work of the Indian mathematician Brahmagupta. In his work he described the uses of negative numbers. -
620
Negative Sign
Brahmagupta used a special sign for negatives, as well as, stating rules for working with positive and negatives. -
Period: 940 to 998
Use in Arabic Mathematics
In the 10th century the only use of negative numbers in Arabic mathematics is found. Abul-Wafa used negative numbers in his work to represent a debt. -
Period: to
Descartes Input
Early in the 17th century Descartes called negative solutions "false" -
Period: to
Usefulness of Negative Numbers Becomes Accepted
Early in the 17th century European mathematicians began to use negative numbers in their work. -
First Modern Novel Published
Don Quixote de la Mancha is published. -
Jamestown
Pocahontas becomes associated with the Jamestown colony. -
Period: to
Reference to a Number Line
English mathematician John Wallis gave some understanding to negative numbers by thinking about them as lengths in opposite direction to lengths represented by positive numbers. -
Pilgrims
The Pilgrims land in America. -
Pennsylvania Founded
William Penn founds Pennsylvania -
Period: to
Acceptance
By the middle of the 18th century negative numbers were accepted as numbers. -
First Use of π
Welsh mathematician William Jones introduced the Greek letter π as a symbol for pi. -
Isaac Newton Weighs In
In his book Universal Arithmetick, Isaac Newton addressed difficulties with understanding the concept of negative numbers by stating, "Quantities are either Affirmative, or greater than nothing, or Negative, or less than nothing." -
Fahrenheit's Thermometer
The Dutch-German-Polish physicist invented the modern day thermometer using mercury. -
Useful Contexts for Negative Numbers
In his work Elements of Algebra, English mathematician Nicholas Saunderson discussed that negative numbers could be useful in some psychical contexts such as temperature, motion, and monetary debts. -
Centigrade Therometer
Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius introduces the centigrade thermometer. -
Kite Experiment
American Benjamin Franklin performs his kite experiment to demonstrate the electrical nature of lightening.
