Question

Explain Egyptian arithmetic.

Answer 1

The Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to use mathematics in an extensive setting. Their system was derived from base ten and this was probably so because of the number of fingers and toes. In later years the Greeks would use the abstract qualities of math, however, it appears the Egyptians were only concerned with the practical aspects of numbers. For example while the Greeks might actually use see and think the number six, the Egyptians would need concrete items such as such as six sphinxes. Egyptian numbers were represented by symbols in the following way: a rod for the number one, a heal bone for ten, a snare for 100, a lotus flower for 1,000, a bent finger for 10,000, a burbot fish for 100,000, and a kneeling figure for 1,000,000.

Decimal

Number Egyptian

Symbol

1 =

a rod

10 =

a heel bone

100 =

a snare

1000 =

a lotus flower

10,000 =

a pointing finger

100,000 =

a burbot fish

1,000,000 =

a kneeling figure

Their number system worked very well when doing addition or subtraction. The numbers were grouped together in no particular order and the operation was performed. In one example, from the Rhind Papyrus, addition and subtraction signs were represented through figures which resemble the legs of a person advancing for addition, and departing for subtraction.