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Egyptian Numbers

© Copyright 1999, Jim Loy

On the left we see the signs for Egyptian numbers. These were combined (see the number 1996 on the right) to form numbers much as Roman numerals were, except that there were no symbols for fives (or 50 or 500 etc.), and there was no subtraction within the numbers. The bottom sign (on the left) normally means "many." But when it is used with other numbers, it means "1,000,000." Numbers other than "one" (See My Egyptian Hieroglyphic Dictionary) were almost never written as words. A number follows its noun (which is usually in singular form).

In Arithmetic with Roman Numerals, I mention that it is actually easier to perform arithmetic with Egyptian numbers than it is with Roman numerals. The fives and subtractions complicate things.

Also see Egyptian Fractions and Egyptian Multiplication.

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