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Much Ado About Numbers
Sixteenth century woodcut of a happy man
Question 1: Numbers, numbers...

That's Right

The correct answer is indeed ‘None of the above.

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The symbol was known as the ‘cipher’ (not zero, which was a French word adopted later). Shakespeare referred to ciphers several times, including the prologue of Henry V. He also used the words nought, nil and nothing extensively – and of course ‘nothing’ features in the title of one of his most famous plays.

And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
On your imaginary forces work. 

Henry V

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