| The Representation Of Numbers |
| Saturday, 08 March 2008 18:48 | |
How did the Mayas represent numbers?The Mayas, as well as the Aztecs, used a vigesimal (20) numeration. To represent numbers they had 3 graphical notations: a) with strokes and dots, b) anthropomorphic shapes, c) symbols.  The Mayan base-20 numeral system  The figures shown below indicate numbers from 0 to 10 Chinese NumbersThe Peculiarity of the Chinese Numeral NotationThe Chinese use three numeral systems: the Hindu-Arabic numerals, along with two indigenous numeral systems, one for everyday writing (simple numerals), and another one for use in commercial or financial contexts (complex numerals). These last ones are used on checks and other transaction forms because they are much more difficult to alter. Actually, they are the equivalent of writing 'one', 'two', 'three', etc., rather than 1, 2, 3...In the chart below, the first column features European or Hindu-Arabic numerals; the second one, the standard Chinese equivalent (simple numerals); and the third column, the "capital" Chinese characters (complex numerals).  The Chineses also had several other ways to represent numbers. The strange geometric figures shown below indicate the numbers 1 through 10. This numeration style - named shang fang da zhuan - is still used in official seals.  Early Egyptian Fractions'Horus eye' or udjat was used to transcribe unit measures of capacity for grains, as you can see below each part of the eye represents a value in binary unit fraction (fig. 1). The Egyptians were also the inventors of the fraction bar. The numerator 1 and the bar were represented by a graphical symbol suggesting an open mouth; they used to note the denominators of the fraction under this symbol (fig. 2).Did you know that the Romans too could transcribe unit fractions? E.g. to record 1/2 they used the letter S (semis). Knowing that, what represents SIX? Obviously not 6, but 8.5 (=10-1-0.5)!  The Origin of the Numbers NamesNumbers 1 through 10 in Various Writing Systems Indo-European HeritageThe number names in most European languages take their origin from the Indo-European language. Although various numeration systems have been used (duodecimal, vigesimal and sexagesimal numerations), the decimal system survived all of them. However, we can find traces of the vigesimal system in some French, Danish and Basque number names. |
