Indian mathematicians of the Gupta period made importantcontributions. Aryabhata (AHR • yuh • BUHT • uh) was one of thefirst scientists known to have used algebra. Indian mathematiciansexplained the idea of infinity-something without an end. They alsoinvented the symbol "0" and connected it with the idea of nothing.The Indians' invention of zero affected the study of mathematicsand science. Modern technology, such as computers, would not bepossible without the concept of zero.Gupta mathematicians developed symbols for the numbers 1 to 9 thatwe use today. In the a.d. 700s, Arab traders adopted these numbersymbols, or numerals. European traders later borrowed them from theArabs. In the a.d.1200s, use of these numbers spread though Europeand replaced Roman numerals. Today, this system of number symbolsis known as the Indian-Arabic numerical system.