Comments on: Logic behind Arabic Numbers

By: Per-Anker Lindgard

Per-Anker Lindgard — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:50:14 +0000

I support the idea of the angular interpretation. However, as you have noticed, many doubts the complicated versions of “7″ and “9″. That should not discard the whole idea, though. “1″, “2″, “3″ are obviously easier written in angles, than -,=, etc. not lifting the pen. Then “4″, probably rather just just as a cross, with a bent line across – as opposed to the accurate triangular version you give. However, “7″ is in Europe written with a wiggly upper line, making 3, and a dash on the line down, making an extra 4, =7. That is much simpler than yours – and in accord with how it is written by many, motorically. Finally “9″ is by some people written: beginning well above, making a circle and then down with a curved line to the right, that makes, when rectified it naturally into 9 angles, with no small curls needed. There is also an other way thought, writing “9″, which also makes the 9 angles easily) without the many curls, you propose. It is a great pity, if your proposed strange “7″ and “9″ distracts from the basic principle of counting angles.

By: Troller

Troller — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:14:07 +0000

ur both idiots@ian

By: khaled

khaled — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:04:49 +0000

@nick nick actually he did not tweak this was the basic way of writing it and then by time it was simplified

By: ray

ray — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:35:22 +0000

@getrealbubba not really because angles can and have been made with out knowing the angles numeric value. so get real bubba!!!!!!

By: ray

ray — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:26:55 +0000

absolutely, amazing my Arab friend mentioned this to me but he could not finish all the numbers/angels until now. My guess is that zero has no angles because it represents infinity? you know no beginning and no end.

By: saly

saly — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:34:33 +0000

@getrealbubba The concept of counting was present but in I, II, III, IV,V and so forth It was not efficient with big numbers calculations but it works! However, the Arabic Numbers simplified the calculations of bigger numbers

By: saly

saly — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:31:15 +0000

@PS yet it is true! The Arabs took the concept of numbering from the Hindus and later then in Morocco, they altered it to fit the concept of # of angles = number shape. Hence the Arabic Numbers were started in North Africa and then moved to Spain and then to the rest of the world!

By: saly

saly — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:25:19 +0000

@nick it is nice to know how things start out looking one way and then we alter them and then can't recognize how they originated! Thanks for this!

By: Roberta

Roberta — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:27:08 +0000

This is one of the most interesting items I’ve run across on the www since I first began my experience on it in the 80′s. There’s so much “junk” on it; I find it so refreshing to find something of real interest and something I’ve never had a clue about. I can hardly wait to pass this gem on to my teenage grandchildren and HOPE it’s news to them!

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:00:25 +0000

@ Dan… who are you to say that people calling shenanigans dont know anything about the subject? Those were the same people backing up their arguments with actual historical facts and plain logic. What proof you have? You didnt even give a pleasing argument, but just rambled about these numbers being the ones adapted. That wasn’t even a coherent, factual or semi-intelligent statement .You are the one who obviously has no clue what their talking about. go back to high school