Base 20 (Vigesimal) Numbering system
Digits used are the Mayan numbers of a dot for one and a line for 5. Each number (which may be a succession of dots or lines) represents a place value. The numbers are arranged vertically with the highest place value at the top. See the following site for more information about Mayan mathematics. http://www.saxakali.com/COLOR_ASP/historymam.htm
Each place value to the top is equal to 20 times the place value to the bottom which implies that each place value to the bottom is equal to the place value to the top divided by 20.
160000, 8000, 400, 20, 1, 0
A zero was used to mark an empty place value in this sysem.
The use of 20 as a grouping number was used by many cultures throughout our earth's history. This was because people have twenty digits (fingers and toes). The Mayan culture developed a rigorous numbering system that was consistent with place values being multiples of 20.
Active content to be produced by members of the programming class offerred by Poseidon Software and Invention.
Link to Poseidon Software and Invention Home Page
Last update on 01/26/98
Copyright 1997 Poseidon Software and Invention