Numeration Systems

The numeration system we are most familiar with is called the Indo-Arabic (or Hindu-Arabic) numeration system, or more commonly known as the decimal system.  The Decimal System is a base ten system.  One of the reason we use a base ten system is because we have ten fingers.  

We write the number two hundred thirty four as 234. 

Tallies (marks on bone, marks on stone, stones in a bag) were the earliest means of keeping count. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are represented by |, ||, |||, and ||||.  Five is represented by four lines and a diagonal line through the four lines.  This chart represents tally marks for the numbers 1 thru 10.  This pattern continues, marking each four lines with a diagonal line to mark another five tallies.

The number 234 would be represented by

The Egyptian System is another numeration system.  This system is a base-10 system. The powers of the base are 1, 10 , 10^2, 10^3….. It is written left to right.

The number 234 would be represented by

The Roman system is a numeric system, called Roman numerals, used in ancient Rome.  Letters from the Latin alphabet are used for number values. You may already be familiar with some Roman numerals since they can be seen on some analogue clocks and watches, the preliminary pages of books before the main page numbering, sporting events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl, or Monarchs such as King Edward VII.

The number 234 would be represented by 

CCXXXIV

Another numeration system is the Babylonian system.  It is a base 60 system. There is a basic symbols for 1 through 59, but to write numbers more than 59 you would use the basic symbols for 1-59 and the concpet of place value. Place value is a power of the base. Their place values are 1, 60, 60^2, 60^3...  There is no This video explains a little about the Babylonian system and place value.

 The number 234 would be represented by (where V = 1 or 60 and < = 10)

v v v      < < < < < v v v v

The Mayan system is a base-20 system.  Numbers after 19 were written vertically in powers of twenty .  The numerals are made up only three symbols; zero (shell shape), one (a dot) and five (a bar).  

 The number 234 would be represented by

Of all the numeration systems used we are most familiar with the decimal system and I think writing two hundred thirty four is easiest using the decimal system.