What did you do to represent the 6 missing numbers up to 19? They placed the Mayan numbers from 10 to 4 on the lower part of the chin of the deity that represented 9. In this numbering system the maximum number of divinities that could be represented was 14, so they were only enough to cover numbers from 0 to 13. It is also a vigesimal system and its main number is 20. This other numbering system that they used is very characteristic because they used the heads of different deities to represent numbers, which is why it is known as the head numbering system. The Mayan numbering system we are talking about is the main and best known, but it is not the only numbering system used by the Mayans. They knew a large number of geometric figures and geometric volumes, having the ability to measure and use them at their convenience. Regarding geometry, it is known that Mayas were very clear about the concept of the triangle, square, rectangle, circle and circumference, plus they could measure angles. Likewise, it is believed that Mayan calendar is more accurate than the Gregorian calendar and that it even had the same precision as modern measurement systems.Īlthough the main use of their numbering system was to measure time, thanks to it they also made great advances in geometric, astrology, and mathematics. The vigesimal system of the Mayans is considered one of the most accurate in the world. Although of course, they also used it to tell other things. This is known thanks to the fact that archaeologists have found remains where the numbering is directed towards the measurement of time and its division into fractions. Characteristics of Mayan numberingĪs I mentioned earlier, one of the reasons why the Mayan numbering system has attracted the attention of experts is that it had a high level of complexity to have been created individually and more than 2.000 years ago, since research has revealed that it was created hundreds of years BC On the other hand, it stands out for being the first culture in the entire American continent to have the concept of "nothing" or "zero".Ĭontrary to what we might think at first glance, the Mayans did not invent their number system to perform mathematical operations, but rather they used it to measure time. When you get to use a fourth level, then the figure that is located in the 4th level will be multiplied by 8000 (20x20x20). In case the figure has a third level, then the figure that is located in the 3rd level will be multiplied by 400 (20 x 20). What about the Mayan numbers from 21 onwards? It is here where you can appreciate the positional system of the Mayans, in which the value of a number or figure varies depending on the position in which it is found, depending on the vertical position that the number occupies.Īt the bottom are the numerals (those that go from 0 to 20), while in the upper level the numbers are worth the numeral figure multiplied by 20.įor example, in the number 25: in the lower part is 5 (the line that is equivalent to 5), and the upper part is equivalent to 20 (the point is equal to 1, but being in the upper part it is multiplied by 20). From here on, it is important that you keep in mind that in the Mayan numeration quantities are grouped 20 by 20. The three basic symbols that we can find in Mayan numerals are: A point (1) a line (5) y a snail / seed / shellīy combining these three symbols, the Mayan numbers from 0 to 20 could be obtained. Some numberings were for the codices, others for the monuments and others even had human representations. This is because there is only three symbols, although the forms may vary depending on the use that is given to them. Mayan numbering is very easy to understand and understand. This I will explain in more detail below. That is, the value of a digit or a number depended on its position. Likewise, the numerical and mathematical system of the Maya was the first to develop a positional system. Thus, Mayan numbers have a direct connection to days, months and years, which is why the Mayan calendar is one of his best known works and is one of the most complete and accurate in the world. There is not much information about the Mayan writing because Spanish priests ordered to burn all Mayan books.Īn interesting detail about the Mayan numbering system is that they invented it to measure time and not to do mathematical calculations. His writing was made up of a combination of ideograms and phonetic symbols, so it is quite difficult to decipher its content. Specialists consider that the Maya writing system are hieroglyphs, because it has a certain resemblance to the system used in Ancient Egypt. If you have any questions with a number you can leave a comment at the end of this article. We hope this list is useful to you, you can download in PDF version by clicking here.
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