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Mayan Numbers and Math

Mayan mathematical system-1-20
Mayan mathematical system-1-20


Mayan Numbers and Math



Along with their advances to the calendar -- like the Tzolk'in, the Haab, and the Long Count -- the Mayans also created their own math system. They used a series of dots and bars to signify numbers. One dot equaled one unit while one bar equaled five units. A shell symbol signified zero.

In a system similar to the one we use now, the Mayans used place values to designate large numbers. However, the similarities end there.
Mayan math - 27Mayan math - 29

Their place values are vertical, where ours are horizontal. For instance, we write the number 27 horizontally -- the number 2, then the number 7 to the right of it. The Mayans, however, would write 27 vertical­ly -- their symbol for 7 (a line with 2 dots over it) would be on the bottom, and the symbol for 20 (a dot on the line above) would be directly over it. The same applies for other numbers, like 29.

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