Explore the historical development of mathematics related to the continuum in this 44-minute lecture. Delve into Simon Stevin's revolutionary introduction of decimal numbers in 1585 and their practical implications for arithmetic. Examine the limitations of Stevin's approach compared to fraction arithmetic and its relevance to modern challenges with real numbers. Investigate the concept of infinitesimals and complex numbers, questioning their existence and nature. Learn about algebraic extensions of the rational number line and finite variants. Gain insights into the evolution of mathematical thinking and its impact on our understanding of numbers and the continuum.