[Grade 5 Projects] [Ancient Numbers Menu]

Ancient Civilisations
& Their Number System (2)

by Nicky & Jules

Mayan The Mayans had an unusual number system. A "stripe" represented "5" and a "dot" represented "1". The Mayans also had a symbol for zero. When the Mayans counted, the "stripe" actually represented a "stick" and a "dot" represented a "pebble stone". The ancient Mayans actually had a year which was made up of 360 days. This was because of their numbering system. We think that the Mayan number system is based on "20" Below you will find a sample of the Mayan number system for you to look at.

For example, the number "5625" would be written this way.

Here is a good resource for Mayan Mathematics.

Roman The Romans have a number system based on "five". The Romans use letters to represent numbers. They have no place value in their number system. Here is their number system from "one" to "one thousand".

Hindu Arabic This sysbem was first invented by the Hindus in 300 BC. It was based on "ten". They had a symbol for each number from "one" to "ten". The Hindus were also the first to who popularized the symbol for "zero". They called it sunya, which means "empty".

The Arabs learned Hindu arithmatic around 700 AD. Another important invention in the Arabic system was the use of "place value". This system became the decimal number system, now used in most parts of the world.

Chinese The Chinese number system is based on "tens". It is a multiplication grouping system. The Chinese write their numbers vertically.

For example, the number "5625" would be written this way.

Conclusion We believe that Egypt is the most imaginative system because it has pictures of people and things which makes it very colorful and interesting. Probably the most useful and sensible system is the Hindu-Arabic system because it has zero and place values which makes it easier to do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

On the next page you will find our number system. It can go up to a "million" and probably a bit further. It uses symbols and this makes it difficult to multiply and divide. We think it isn't a very sophisticated system, but we like it.


Pages created: Wednesday, 19-November-97 11:35:12 UTC
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Materials copyright © 1996-97 M. Hos-McGrane, Grade 5 Social Studies Class
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