The Egyptian Number System

The Egyptian Number System

• The Egyptians used a written numeration that was changed into hieroglyphic writing, which enabled them to note whole numbers to 1,000,000.

• There was a special sign for every power of ten.

Hieroglyphic Numeration

• A written version of a concrete counting system using material objects.

• To represent a number, the sign for each decimal order was repeated as many times as necessary.

• To make it easier to read the repeated signs they were placed in groups of two, three, or four and arranged vertically.

Hieroglyphic Numeration

Decimal Egyptian Symbol1 staff

10 heel bone100 coil of rope

1000 lotus flower10000 pointing finger

100000 tadpole or frog1000000 astonished man

Hieroglyphic Numeration

• 3 =

• 30 =

• 500 =

Representing Numbers the using Hieroglyphics

• In writing the numbers, the largest decimal order would be written first. The numbers were written from right to left.

46,206 =

767,777 = 77 + 700 + 7,000 + 760,000

Adding the Egyptian Way

• The Egyptians added by combining symbols.

456 + 265 = 721

Problem Solving the Egyptian Way

• Queen Vashti has ordered her Nubian general, Nehsi, to sail to the Land of Punt and obtain planks of the finest cut cedar wood for the gates and doors of her new temple. Each ship can carry planks of wood so how many ships will Nehsi have to take with him to transport all the wood back to Egypt?

• If pyramids have bricks how many bricks are needed to build pyramids?

Answer

1. = 60

2. = 2,620

PracticeWrite the following numbers:

743 8,221 2,003,010 pick your own

Convert the following number:

=Make up your own number

Number Fun!

Interactive Game for Egyptian Number Systems

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/history/egypt/egyptiannumbersystem/

The Guardian Sphinx

Riddle of the Sphinx

"Which animal has one voice, but uses zero

feet, two, three or four feet, being slowest on

three?"