Ole Hansen

MATH 197 Functions & Modeling

Mr. Obi

11/26/12

The Egyptian Number System

For many children it is unnatural to think that there are other number systems than the HinduArabic that they are used to working with. By learning about other number systems, they might understand our own number system better. Followed is a brief synopsis that takes into account the history, representations, strengths/weaknesses, and how it is different from the Hindu-Arabic number system. Most of our knowledge about Egyptian mathematics comes from papyrus scrolls. The most famous sources are the Rhind papyrus, the Moscow papyrus, the Kahun papyrus, and the Berlin papyrus. The publication of the Rhind papyrus in 1877 gave the first transparency of Egyptian mathematics. In addition to a number system for whole numbers and fractions, welldeveloped methods of calculations are used by using this number system (Baumgart). The early Egyptian system used 10 as the base number. Figures 1-9 were represented by a line per integer. Then there were individual symbols for each power of ten. These symbols were used in different/various combinations to represent any number (Baumgart). Since they used a simple additive system, the symbols could occur in any order. Such a system allows addition and subtraction to be relatively easy, since it is about counting symbols, exchanging a ten for ten ones, etc. Another thing that makes the Egyptian number system different from the Hindu-Arabic one, is that the Egyptian number system did not have 0 (OConnor). Like our number system (Hindu-Arabic), the Egyptian number systems can be used for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Addition and subtraction are based on counting. Since the Egyptian hieroglyphs are built upon the counting of symbols, addition and subtraction are relatively simple. We (still) don`t know whether the same counting principles

Ole Hansen

MATH 197 Functions & Modeling

Mr. Obi

11/26/12

were used in the hieratic system, or whether they had tables of addition (Baumgart). Here are some examples of addition performed in hieratic, hieroglyphic, and Hindu-Arabic number systems: (Baumgart)

An example of a simple additive system is Egyptian hieroglyphs. These were developed before 3500 B.C. The system is based on grouping symbols. They had different symbols for the 7 first powers of ten. Each integer was written by repeating these symbols. The order of the symbols did not really matter, just their value. Illustration:

(Baumgart) Neither the hieroglyph nor the hieratic number systems were positional, unlike the HinduArabic which is positional. Every single symbol had the same value regardless of the position in the whole number. The Egyptians wrote numbers from right to left, unlike the HinduArabic number system which is read/written from left to right. It was usual to collect common symbols in separate groups; first the ones, then the tens, etc. The value of a number is principally found by adding the number value of each symbol. This is how the old Egyptian number system is called a simple additive system (OConnor).

Ole Hansen

MATH 197 Functions & Modeling

Mr. Obi

11/26/12

The symbols of the Egyptian number systems are based on natural things that they were surrounded by in Egypt, so it is not totally without sense. The system is also based on base 10, which makes it easier for a person like me, who is used to working with such a number system, to understand its scope and function as a number system. There are some disadvantages to this number system as well. It requires much space, and can be lengthy to write. This also means that it requires more time. Lastly, they could not express complicated fractions by using Egyptian numerals.

Ole Hansen

MATH 197 Functions & Modeling

Mr. Obi

11/26/12

Works Cited

Baumgart, J. K. et al. Det egyptiske tallsystem, (1990) Historical Topics for the Mathematics Classroom. Virginia: The National Council of Teachers og Mathematics, INC. Jan. 2010. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.

O'Connor, J. J. "An Overview of Egyptian Mathematics." Historical Topics. School of Mathematics and Statistics, Mar. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.