– Covers number systems (Babylonian, Egyptian, etc.), arithmetic symbols ( −negative ), and elementary geometry.
: The book explains how symbols moved across borders, showing how Hindu-Arabic numerals and European algebraic shorthand were influenced by diverse civilizations. A History of Mathematical Notations
Florian Cajori's History of Mathematical Notations - MAA.org – Covers number systems (Babylonian, Egyptian, etc
: Symbols rarely gained immediate acceptance. Cajori documents the "competition" between rival notations—such as the various ways to denote multiplication—before one eventually became the standard. – Covers number systems (Babylonian
If you find Cajori’s dense, century-old academic prose difficult, these modern alternatives offer a more accessible narrative:
The work is divided into two primary volumes (often bound together in modern editions from Dover Publications ):