Sunday 8 April 2012

What Is The Difference Beween Numerals and Number?

Number is a concept, it is a mathematical concept. To express the quantitative value of the object, this  is developed in ancient history. Suppose, a man has many cows. How can he know how many cows he has or is there any missing cow or less cow in his farm? The word 'number' is the way to figure it out and this way number is developed. It is an abstract concept.

On the other hand, the numeral is the way to write or to express this number. With the collection of notation, symbol or some marking letters --- the number is expressed. Suppose the farmer has 20 cows, so 20 is the number and we expressed this number by using the symbol '2' and '0'. This symbol '2' and '0' are the numerals. Because this symbol or notation helps us to write this number 20.

There are several numerals or numeral system in the world such as Hindu-Arabic numerals, Egyptians numerals, Roman numerals, Greek numerals, Mayan numerals, Western-Arabic numerals etc. Some other numerals are positional numerals such as Binary, Ternary, Decimal, Hexadecimal numerals etc.  

Example:
Suppose you have 3 white horses and 1 brown horse.
So in total 3+1=4 horses.
These 3,1,4 all are numbers and we represented this number in English language symbol or Western Arabic language. If we use Roman numerals it will be like below -
III + I = IV horses.
If we use positional numerals or base numerals 'Binary' where base is 2 which means only 2 symbols represent all the number then it will be like below -
11 + 01= 100 horses.
In binary system 11 represents 3 and 1 represents 1. 100 represents 4.

In this way numbers can be expressed in various way and it is called numerals.

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What Is The Difference Beween Numerals and Number?

Number is a concept, it is a mathematical concept. To express the quantitative value of the object, this  is developed in ancient history. S...