The Zero Home Page
Not enough attention has been paid to the digit zero in the course of history.
It was the last of the decimal digits to be established in Western systems,
but it has so many strong effects on our lives. Where would we be without
zeros? In big trouble...
- In our paychecks, zeros are critical. We all like to see lots of zeros
lined up on a check.
- Speaking of lines, there would be a big hole in the number line if there
was no zero, you could fall through and get hurt. In fact, all of the other
numbers would just slip though and then what would we be left with? Nothing!
(Another 'common' definition for zero, but we know that isn't right, don't
we?)
- If there was no zero, cool sports cars couldn't go from 0 to 60 in xx
flat, now could they?
- Absolute zero is the temperature where all energy has been removed from
a system. The molecules don't even vibrate a little bit any more. Absolute
zero is as cold as it is possible to get. Cool, huh?
- And I'm not the only one who thinks so.... Zero was even the star of
a Schoolhouse
Rock
But seriously folks, the zero digit serves a very important function
in any complex number system (not to be confused with the Complex number
system, but zeros are important there too). Zero helps clear up the philosphical
question about the difference between: the presence of nothing the
absence of something and the absence of everything
See this played out in a real math paper
(not to be confused with a Real math paper...) that shows that the Indians
knew about zero, before it was accepted into Western systems.
Additional Weird Zero Sites
This isn't the only stange place featuring the digit zero on the web....
Why don't you try a few out???
- Zero's Chill Entertainment
Home Page doesn't have anything specific to do with zero's, but the
originator of the site claims to be named Zero. See if his claims
hold water. Plus the pages are pretty cool.
- Ground
Zero seems to be some kind of gathering site for devotees of Zero. But
they aren't terribly concerned about the philosophical implications of zero-ness.
- Infinite Zero
is an music label. But I bet they don't really sing about zeros
in their songs.
- And there is another person devoted to zeros out there. Go to the Zero
Guide. Lot's of stuff is out of date, but it's big!
Check out your favorite digits!!!
This digit maintained by danhorn@umich.edu (who took over for Eric Heldman)
Last updated: 18-May-96