Origins (c. 3000 BCE)
The Egyptian hieroglyphic system is among the oldest base-10 systems known, appearing around the Early Dynastic Period. Likely inspired by finger counting, it used distinct symbols for powers of ten.
Egyptian Numeral Converter
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Egyptian Numeral Calculator
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Egyptian Numeral Reference
Basic Hieroglyphs
| Value | Symbol | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | πΊ | Vertical Stroke |
| 10 | π | Heel bone / Arch |
| 100 | π’ | Coil of rope |
| 1,000 | πΌ | Lotus flower |
| 10,000 | π | Bent finger |
| 100,000 | π | Tadpole / Frog |
| 1,000,000 | π¨ | Heh (god of infinity) |
Example Numbers
| Decimal | Hieroglyphs |
|---|---|
| 27 | πππΊπΊπΊπΊπΊπΊπΊ |
| 145 | π’πππππΊπΊπΊπΊπΊ |
| 2,340 | πΌπΌπ’π’π’ππππ |
| 15,000 | ππΌπΌπΌπΌπΌ |
History of Egyptian Numerals
Additive System
Unlike positional systems (like ours), the value was the sum of all symbols present. While order wasn't mathematically crucial, scribes typically wrote higher values first, often grouping symbols aesthetically.
Hieratic Script
For everyday writing on papyrus, a cursive script called Hieratic evolved. Hieratic numerals were simplifications of the hieroglyphs, faster to write but less pictorial.
Mathematical Papyri
Key sources like the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE) and Moscow Mathematical Papyrus (c. 1850 BCE) reveal practical applications in arithmetic (including fractions), geometry (areas, volumes), and administrative problem-solving.
Usage and Legacy
Essential for administration (taxes, census), large-scale construction, trade, and astronomy, hieroglyphic numerals were used for millennia before being gradually superseded by Greek, Coptic, and eventually Arabic numerals.