By numbering system, I'm asking about the numbers themselves (i.e 1, 2, 3, etc.) and also our mathematical symbols (i.e. +, -, *, /). Did this system originate out of, say, Europe and spread elsewhere through colonization? Did it start somewhere else?
hi! those are Hindu-Arabic numerals. There's lots of room for more responses to your questions, but these related posts can get you started:
When were Hindu-Arabic numerals adopted in Europe:
Reasons for adoption:
Why did Arabian numerals become the dominant numerals in Europe over Roman numerals?
How did the Arabic numerals become the world standard, essentially, for enumeration?
Other numerals, & adoption elsewhere: