Final answer:
Prior to the Moorish occupation, Western Europeans used mathematics based on Roman numerals. The Moors introduced the decimal positional number system and algebra, which had Indian origins and were further developed in the Islamic world. This significantly advanced Western European mathematics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the Moorish occupation of Spain and Portugal, most Western Europeans were using a system of mathematics based on Roman numerals, which lacked the concept of zero and did not facilitate advanced mathematical computations. With the arrival of the Moors, there was a significant shift in mathematical practices due to the influence of Greek and Islamic scholarship. This included the replacement of Roman numerals with the decimal positional number system and the introduction of algebra. The knowledge and concepts in mathematics that were adopted in Western Europe during the Moorish occupation originated from India and were subsequently absorbed and developed by Arabic scholars.
The Indian mathematicians contributed significantly to the development of mathematics by introducing decimals, the concept of zero, and performing complex calculations which enabled precise determinations of pi, the circumference of the Earth, and the timing of celestial events. These transformative ideas were further expanded upon in the Muslim world, leading to enhancements in the fields of algebra and trigonometry, both critical to scientific and intellectual advancements during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods.
It was through the cultural and intellectual exchanges on the Iberian Peninsula that Western European mathematics evolved substantially, laying down the foundations for future scientific achievements, and ultimately influencing explorations and discoveries, like those made by Christopher Columbus. The Moorish occupation was a pivotal moment for Western European mathematics, signifying the transition from Roman numerals to a far more advanced number system derived from Indian and Arabic knowledge that found its way to Europe through the Moors.