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The Mayan numerals are commonly used horizontally.
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The Maya had developed two positional mathematical systems:
Vigesimal System
Calendrical Vigesimal System
1
1
20
20
202
18 × 20
203
18 × 202
204
:
:
18 × 203
:
:
vigesimal
mal system.
The calendrical vigesimal system is an application of the vigesi
The Maya were approximating the closest possible number of days to the solar
year , thereby compromising on 360 (18 × 20) days.
To form Mayan numerals greater than 19, the classic Mayan numerals
numerals are
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stacked on top of each other. Consider the following example in both positional
systems.
Calendrical Vigesimal System
Vigesimal System
203
18 × 202
202
18 × 20
20
20
1
1
Let’
Let’s convert the following Mayan numeral, in both positional systems,
systems,
into a HinduHindu-Arabic number (Western base ten number).
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Vigesimal System
Calendrical Vigesimal System
4 × (203) = 32 000
4 × (18 × 202) = 28 800
11 × (202) =
11 × (18 × 20) = 3 960
4 400
0 × (20)
=
0
0 × (20)
=
0
2 × (1)
=
2
2 × (1)
=
2
36 402
32 762
Let’
Let’s do some more converting …
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Calendrical Vigesimal System
Vigesimal System
1.
3.
8 × (18 × 20) =
400
5 × (20)
=
100
2 ×
(20)
=
40
0 ×
=
0
12 ×
1
=
12
1
2 932
500
2.
2 880
1 × (202) =
16 × (202)
=
6 400
15 × (20)
=
300
6
=
6
×
1
6 706
4.
10 × (18 × 20) =
0
×
19 ×
3 600
(20)
=
0
1
=
19
3 619