In the history of mathematics, Arabic numerals are called

"Indo-Arabic numerals". It was invented by the ancient Indians, and later from India to Arabia, and from Arabia to Europe in the early 12th century, and Europeans called it

Arabic numerals. Indian digital came to China as early as the early 8th century AD, but it did not become popular.

There are also historical sources that it was only in the 13th century that an Arabic numeral from India was transmitted to China. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century, with the rise of modern mathematics in China, that Arabic numerals were widely used.

Arabic numerals are the most complete numeral system in the world. Its advantages are: simple strokes, scientific structure, clear image, and short number of groups, so it is widely used by countries around the world and has become a set of internationally accepted digital systems.

In our country, for a period of time, especially after the implementation of horizontal layout of publications, the scope of use of Arabic numerals has expanded, not only for mathematics and other natural science publications, but also for general publications when referring to numbers (such as representing time, length, mass, area, volume and other quantitative values), but due to the lack of a unified style, the use of numbers in various publications is very confusing.

In order to rectify this confusion, on January 1, 1987, the State Language Commission, the State Publishing Bureau, the National Bureau of Standards, the State Bureau of Metrology, the Secretariat of the General Office of the State Council, the Information Bureau of the Central Propaganda Department, and the Publishing Bureau of the Central Propaganda Department jointly promulgated the Trial Regulations on the Use of Numbers in Publications.

This provision was implemented on a trial basis for eight years, and then revised and officially promulgated as a national standard by the State Bureau of Technical Supervision on December 13, 1995, and came into effect on June 1, 1996.

In 1957, on the site of the Anxi palace of the Yuan Dynasty, an ancient one was discovered

"Rubik's Cube" - the iron plate magic square. This magic square is cast into a plate shape of iron, divided into 6 × 6 grids, 36 numbers are marked with ancient Arabic numerals, arranged in a square matrix, whether viewed vertically, horizontally or diagonally, the sum of the phase force of each group of numbers is 111.

This magic square actually contains the law of the arrangement of numbers, but at the time people regarded it as mysterious, and the iron plate magic square was also regarded as a mysterious thing, and it was believed to have the effect of driving away evil spirits and relieving disasters.

This magic square was found in a stone letter in the foundation of a house. This magic square casting ancient Arabic numerals is the earliest physical object that has been discovered in China to use Arabic numerals.

It is now on display in the Shaanxi History Museum.