This project was a joint social studies and maths activity. To begin with students had to research into the number systems of the ancient Egyptians Egyptians 2, Babylonians Babylonians 2, Greeks, Romans, Romans 2, Chinese, Arabs, and Hindus. There is also an article History of Numbers from The Encyclopedia Britannica

This research was done during the library periods, and students continued to work on the project during their maths lessons where they were able to access the Internet from the classroom computer. Students had to explain how the systems are similar and how they differ.

As well as the compulsory number systems, some students chose to research origins of their own number systems and many of them also chose to look at the Mayan system, as the Maya is a topic we study during social studies later in the year.

Following on from this, students had to create their own number systems, showing symbols up to 1.000,000 and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of their systems.

Here is a selection of the students' projects which they have recently completed. Click on the name of the students to visit their pages or follow the arrow for a "guided tour" of our projects.