Number History

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NumbersNumbersThe history behind why numbers The history behind why numbers

are written the way they areare written the way they are

The numbers we write are made up of algorithms, (1, 2, 3, 4, etc) called arabic algorithms, to distinguish them from the roman algorithms (I; II; III; IV; etc.).

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Algorithm- a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-

solving operations

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The Arabs popularized these algorithms. Below are the Arab countries in red.

There are 22 countries in the Middle East and Africa that make up the

Arab World.

Although the Arabs made this way of writing numbers popular, their origin goes back to the phoenecian merchants that used them to count and sell their goods. (They sold things like fish, bread, jewlry, cloth…)

Starting in 1550 BC, Phoenica was an ancient civilization in

present day Lebanon and Syria.

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Have you ever asked the question why 1 is “one”, 2 is “two”, 3 is “three”…..?

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What is the logic that exists in the arabic algorithms?

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It’s easy, very easy…!

For each number, the symbol has that many angles!

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Look at these algorithms written in their primitive form and check it out! …

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1 angle 2 angles

3 angles 4 angles

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124555 angles 6 angles

7 angles 8 angles

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9 angles

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And the most interesting and intelligent of all…..

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Zero angle !

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Moral of the story:

It is never late to learn. Also, keep asking questions!

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Your homework- Share Your homework- Share this with your family this with your family and friends. It’s nice to and friends. It’s nice to know why we write know why we write numbers the way we do. numbers the way we do. Math and History are Math and History are AWESOME!AWESOME!