The greco-roman civilization had a limited numerical system. it had no zero or placeholder-only nine numerals. the arab civilization also
used a nine-digit system until they came into contact through trade with the hindus of india during the middle ages. the arabs learned that the
hindus had a number system with nine numerals and a "sifr," which was symbolized by a zero or a dot. the arabs borrowed that numerical system
and eventually exported it to the western world through their colony in spain.
which statement best summarizes how the idea of zero spread through the world?
1. hindus and arabs developed the use of zero at the same time and taught it to the rest of the world.
2. arabs developed the concept of zero and taught it first to the hindus and then to the western world.
3. hindus first had the concept of zero, and then arabs borrowed that concept and taught it to the western world.
4. after the greco-roman civilization used the digit zero, the hindus borrowed it and finally exported it to the arabs.