The earliest use of the decimal system in Hindu mathematics is in the Yajurveda Samhita, where there is a list of numerical denominations given: eka(1), dasha(10), shata(100), sahasra(1000), ayuta(10000), nryuta(100000), ... all the way to 10^12. The list, with slight modifications and additions, is repeated in other Vedic texts [1]. The Yajurveda Samhita dates back to between 2000BCE - 1000BCE.
The earliest use of zero as a symbol in Hindu mathematics actually occurs between 300BCE - 200BCE in a work called Chandah Sutra by Pingala. It is used in figuring out the number of combinations of long and short syllables in a verse containing n syllables [2].
The earliest written manuscript that uses zero as a symbol predates both Brahmagupta and Aryabhatta, and is found in the Bakhshali manuscript that is dated between 224CE-383CE [3].
Here are some of the problems tackled in the Bakhshali manuscript [4]:
The earliest use of zero as a symbol in Hindu mathematics actually occurs between 300BCE - 200BCE in a work called Chandah Sutra by Pingala. It is used in figuring out the number of combinations of long and short syllables in a verse containing n syllables [2].
The earliest written manuscript that uses zero as a symbol predates both Brahmagupta and Aryabhatta, and is found in the Bakhshali manuscript that is dated between 224CE-383CE [3].
Here are some of the problems tackled in the Bakhshali manuscript [4]:
a) Problems involving systems of linear equations
b) Indeterminate equations of the 2nd degree
c) Arithmetica progressions
d) Quadratic equations
e) Approximate evaluations of square roots
f) Problems of the type x(1-a1)(1-a2)...(1-an)=p
1. https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.81882/2015.8188...
2. https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.81882/2015.8188...
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakhshali_manuscript
4. https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.189295/2015.189...