Which concept did the maya understand before Europeans did?
Options:
Architecture
Calendars
Hieroglyphics
The number zero
The Maya understood the concept of calendars and the number zero before Europeans did.
The concept that the Maya understood before Europeans did is the number zero.
The concept that the Maya understood before Europeans did is the number zero.
To understand how the Maya understood the concept of zero before Europeans, we need to dive into a bit of history and mathematics. The Maya civilization, which flourished in Mesoamerica from about 2000 BCE to 1500 CE, had a remarkably advanced understanding of mathematics. Their numeral system, also known as the Maya numerals, included the concept of zero.
The concept of zero was not widely understood in Europe until much later, during the medieval period. In fact, the Maya were using the concept of zero in their mathematics well before Europeans grasped its significance.
To get a better understanding of how the Maya used zero, we can explore their number system. The Maya numeral system was a base-20 system, meaning it was based on multiples of 20 rather than multiples of 10 like our decimal system. In their numeral system, they used a shell-like symbol to represent zero.
By incorporating zero into their numeral system, the Maya were able to perform complex mathematical calculations, such as measuring time, calculating astronomical events, and creating intricate calendars. This mathematical knowledge allowed them to develop advanced architectural and engineering practices, as well as accurately predict astronomical events like eclipses.
In summary, the Maya civilization understood and used the concept of zero in their mathematics, calendars, and other calculations long before it was understood in Europe. Their understanding of zero was an important achievement in the history of mathematics and shows the advanced level of knowledge they possessed in various fields.