Representing Numbers
in Writing
Numerals, Digits, and Beyond
Defining Numeral, Digit, and
Number
Numeral: symbolic representation of number
Digit: a numeric representation 0-9
Number: the integer that a numeral represents
Defining Numeral, Digit, and
Number
The parade was
attended by 12,482
people.
Numeral: 12,482
Digits: 1, 2, 4, 8, 2
Number: the concept of
12,482 people.
Identify the numerals
in the passage to the
right.
Identify the numerals
in the passage to the
right.
*1992
*2001
*87
*11
*2
*2
*13
*11
*15
Identify the digits in
the passage to the
right.
Identify the digits in
the passage to the
right.
1,
2,
8,
2,
1,
9, 9, 2,
0, 0, 1,
7, 1, 1,
2, 1, 3,
1, 1, 5
Identify the numbers in
the passage to the
right.
Identify the numbers in
the passage to the
right.
*The year
1992
*The year
2001
*87 percent
*The 11th of
September
*2 percent
*2 percent
*13 percent
*11 percent
*15 percent
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #1:
1. 29 people won
awards.
2. Twenty-nine people
won awards.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #1:
Rule #1:
1. 29 people won
awards.
Spell a number out if it
starts a sentence.
2. Twenty-nine people
won awards.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #2:
1. I want five copies.
2. I want 5 copies.
3. I want thirteen
copies.
4. I want 13 copies.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #2
Rule #2
1. I want five copies.
2. I want 5 copies.
3. I want thirteen
copies.
4. I want 13 copies.
Spell out single-digit
whole numbers. Use
numerals for numbers
greater than nine.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Correct:
Rule #2
My 10 cats fought with your 2 cats.
Be consistent within a category.
My two cats fought with your ten cats.
Incorrect:
I asked for five dollars, not $50.
If you have numbers in different
categories, use numerals for
one category and spell out the
other.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #3:
1. My sister ate two-thirds
of the pie.
2. My sister ate 2/3 of the
pie.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #3:
Rule #3
1. My sister ate two-thirds
of the pie.
Always spell out simple
fractions and use
hyphens with them.
2. My sister ate 2/3 of the
pie.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #4:
1. You can earn from one million
to five million dollars.
2. You can earn from $1,000,000
to $5,000,000.
3. You can earn from $1 million to
$5 million.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #4:
Rule #4:
1. You can earn from one million
to five million dollars.
2. You can earn from $1,000,000
to $5,000,000.
3. You can earn from $1 million to
$5 million.
The simplest way to express large
numbers is best.
Round numbers are usually
spelled out.
Stay consistent within a sentence.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #4:
Rule #4:
1. Your total payment is
$15,288.50
The simplest way to express large
numbers is best.
Round numbers are usually
spelled out.
Stay consistent within a sentence.
2. Your total payment is fifteen
thousand, two hundred
eighty-eight dollars and fifty
cents.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #5:
1.During the eighties and nineties, the
U.S. economy grew.
2. During the 80’s and 90’s, the U.S.
economy grew.
3. During the ’80s and ’90s, the U.S.
economy grew.
4. During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S.
economy grew.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #5:
Rule #5:
1.During the eighties and nineties, the
U.S. economy grew.
2. During the 80’s and 90’s, the U.S.
economy grew.
When expressing decades, you can:
Spell them out and lowercase
Use numerals and put an apostrophe
before the incomplete numeral
Use complete numerals
3. During the ’80s and ’90s, the U.S.
economy grew.
*No apostrophe is needed between the
year and the ‘s’.
4. During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S.
economy grew.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #6:
1. She gets up at 4:30 before the baby
wakes up.
2. She gets up at four thirty before the
baby wakes up.
3. She gets up at five o’clock before the
baby wakes up.
4. The flight leaves at 6:22 P.M.
5. The flight leaves at six twenty-two P.M.
Six Rules for Representing
Numbers in Writing
Example #6:
Rule #6:
1. She gets up at 4:30 before the baby
wakes up.
Normally, spell out the time of day with
o’clock, half, or quarter hours.
2. She gets up at four thirty before the
baby wakes up.
Use numerals when exact times are being
emphasized, or when using A.M. or
P.M.
3. She gets up at five o’clock before the
baby wakes up.
4. The flight leaves at 6:22 P.M.
5. The flight leaves at six twenty-two P.M.
It’s acceptable to use ‘noon’ and ‘midnight’
instead of 12:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M.
Numbers: Not Just for Math
Anymore
Three is a Magic Number