Number names
Different
cultures have different
traditional numeral systems used for writing numbers and for naming large numbers.
Although most traditional number systems are based on the
decimal numeral system, there are many regional variations, including:
* Western system: based on
thousands, with variants (see
English-language numerals)
* Indian system:
crore,
lakh (see
Indian numbering system.
Indian numerals)
* East Asian system: based on ten-thousands (see below)
Duodecimal numbers have only been used consistently in a few cases. One example of duodecimal numerals is in use in the
Chepang language of
Nepal. However, their influence can still be seen in many cultures, such as in the
imperial system of units, and the former British system of pounds, shillings and pence.
In many
Asian languages, the great redundancy of English number words is avoided.
For very large (and very small) numbers, traditional systems have been superseded by the use of
scientific notation and the system of
SI prefixes. Traditional systems continue to be used in everyday life.
*
Hindu-Arabic numerals*
Armenian numerals*
Babylonian numerals *
Chinese numerals*
D'ni numerals*
English-language numerals*
Greek numerals*
Hebrew numerals*
Indian numerals*
Japanese numerals*
Korean numerals*
Mayan numerals *
Rod numerals*
Roman numerals*
Abacus *
Myriad*
History of large numbers* The words
billion,
trillion,
quadrillion, etc., refer to either of two different numbers.
