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Gary Dixon (gjdixon@mail.kayhay.com) wrote:
: I'm writing a report on the origin of the shapes of present day numbers. 
: I am having a hard time finding any reference material. If anyone can 
: help please e-mail.

I cannot really help, but you've piqued my curiosity.
Would you mind posting a brief summary of what you get?

It is rumored that that our present base 10 numeration system originated
in India, was adopted by the Turkish empire (around the middle ages?),
and spread into Europe through Spain with scholars fleeing the fall of
the Turkish empire.  I imagine that the shapes of the numerals will have
changed substantially through their migration.  It might help to try
and find some historical materials along that route, even in languages
which you cannot read, and try to pick out the numerals.  Unfortunately,
while many libraries have copies of the Greek classics, few stock ancient
arabic or hindu texts.  You might have a chance of finding copies of the
celebrated "Al-jabr" book.

  |\/|                          ||  Burnaby South Secondary School
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Mathematics & Computer Science  ||             (Canada)