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Visegimal system
Associated to Place: AncientWorlds > The Americas > Meso America > The Lowlands > articles -- by * ChanChan Tupac (13 Articles), General Article
Description of this way of counting
The Maya used the number of fingers and toes as the basis of their numerical system. They used dots and stripes to represent the numbers 1 to 19 and a shell or eye for zero:

It's necessary to download the Wuuj font to your computer when you want to be able to see the actual glyphs.

Numbers from 0 to 19:


) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0 ! @ # $ % ^ & * (

To form numbers that are higher then 19, the Maya used a vertical positioning system that grew upwards or sideways.
For example 20 is written like: 1)
 And 62 is written like:32

What does it actually say?

3x20 = 60
1x2 = 2
62

462 is written like: 132
1x400 = 400
3x20 = 60
1x2 = 2
462

Can you now see which numbers are represented here?1526

No... can't see it?
Okay, I'll help you

1x8.000 = 8.000
5x400 =2.000
2x20 = 40
6x1 =6
10.046

Construction Zone
Posted Oct 17, 2004 - 08:29 , Last Edited: Nov 11, 2004 - 11:47











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