Which concept did the Maya understand before Europeans did?
(1 point)
Responses
architecture
architecture
calendars
calendars
hieroglyphics
hieroglyphics
the number zero
the number zero
The concept of calendars and the number zero were understood by the Maya before Europeans did.
The concept that the Maya understood before Europeans did is the concept of calendars.
The concept that the Maya understood before Europeans did was the concept of the number zero. To understand how the Maya understood this concept, we need to delve into the history of mathematics.
The Maya civilization, which thrived in Mesoamerica from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE, had a highly advanced understanding of mathematics. They developed a numerical system that incorporated the use of zero. The Maya used a base-20 system, meaning that their numerical system was based on the number 20 rather than the base-10 system used by most modern cultures.
In the Maya numerical system, the concept of zero was represented by a shell-shaped glyph. They used a positional notation system, similar to our modern decimal system, where different positions represented different powers of 20. Within this system, the use of zero allowed them to perform complex mathematical calculations, record astronomical observations and timekeeping accurately, and develop their advanced calendrical system.
On the other hand, it was not until much later, in the 12th century, that the number zero was introduced in Europe. Even then, it took several more centuries for zero to become widely accepted and integrated into European mathematics.
Therefore, the Maya's understanding and incorporation of zero in their numerical system was more advanced than that of Europeans at the time.