Decimal Point Invented 150 Years Earlier Than Previously Thought

New research reveals the decimal point's origins trace back to the 1440s, challenging long-held beliefs about its invention.

A recent study found the earliest known use of the decimal point in a manuscript by Italian merchant Giovanni Bianchini, dating back to the 1440s.
The discovery, made by historian Glen Van Brummelen, indicates the decimal point was used 150 years earlier than the previously believed date of 1593.
Bianchini's use of decimal points in his astronomical and mathematical texts suggests a significant advancement in numerical representation.
The finding challenges the historical timeline of mathematical inventions and highlights Bianchini's overlooked contribution to mathematics.
Researchers suggest Bianchini may have been influenced by his travels through the Islamic world, where mathematical concepts were being developed.