Chapter 14
Numbers
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in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning
management system for classroom use.
Learning Objectives: Level 1
• Correctly choose between figure and
word forms to express general numbers,
numbers beginning sentences, and
numbers that require hyphens and
commas.
• Express money, dates, clock time,
addresses, telephone and fax numbers,
and company names appropriately.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-2
General Rules
The van held nine
passengers in
three seats.
1.
2.
The numbers one through ten
are generally written out as
words.
Numbers above ten are
written as figures.
Professor Andrews
had 47 students in
two classes.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-3
General Rules
Thirty-eight
states have ratified
the amendment.
3.
Numbers that begin
sentences are written as
words.
If a number involves more
than two words, rewrite the
sentence.
A total of 116
delegates attended
the opening session.
(NOT: One hundred
sixteen delegates .
. . ).
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-4
General Rules
Joe Bowman’s
starting salary in
2013 was
$49,000.
4.
When expressing many
numbers in figure form,
separate groups of three
digits by commas to improve
clarity.
Note: Does not apply
to years, house
numbers,
telephone/fax
numbers, zip codes,
account numbers, or
page numbers.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-5
General Rules
5.
Compound numbers from 21
through 99 are hyphenated
when they are written in
word form.
Fifty-seven
people applied for
the customer
service position
with our firm.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-6
Express Numbers
Correctly

Money

Dates

Clock Time

Addresses

Telephone and Fax
Numbers

Company Names
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-7
 Money
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
1
 Money
Express sums of money $1 or greater as
figures.
If a sum is a whole dollar amount, omit the
decimal and zeros.
Always include commas in monetary figures
$1,000 or greater.
Use the dollar sign ($) instead of the word
dollars.
Do not add a space between the currency
symbol and the figure.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-9
 Money
• Ms. White made purchases of $10,
$19.95, and $40.
• Do you have $20 for the gift?
• His new position pays $56,000 annually.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-10
 Money
Express sums less than $1 as figures
followed by the word cents.
 If they are part of related sums greater than
$1, use a dollar sign and a decimal instead of
the word cents.
• Our stationery costs 4 cents a sheet.
• Petty cash purchases were $1.19,
$.56, $1, and $.92.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-11
 Money
When amounts of money from different
countries are used in the same
sentence, table, or list, place the
appropriate currency abbreviation or
symbol before the numerical amount.
• The US$8,000 item will cost
€6,290 in most countries in Europe.
(U.S. dollars and European Union
euros)
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-12
 Dates
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
18-13
14-13
 Dates
In dates, numbers that appear after the name of
the month are written in cardinal figures (1, 2, 3,
etc.).
Those that stand alone or appear before the
name of the month are written in ordinal figures
(1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).
• Contracts must be signed and returned by
January 30.
• On the 1st of January and again on the 15th,
we sent reminders.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-14
 Clock Time
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-15
 Clock Time
Figures are used when clock time is
expressed with a.m., p.m., noon, or
midnight.
Either figures or words may be used with
the words o’clock.
Omit the colon and zeros with even clock
hours (those without minutes).
Use figures with international time (24-hour
clock).
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-16
 Clock Time
• Appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. and
end at 5 p.m.
• I believe he called at three (or 3)
o’clock.
• On Friday the Louvre in Paris is open from
09:00 until 21:45.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-17
 Addresses
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-18
 Addresses
Except for the number One, house
numbers are expressed as figures.
• 1672 Macomber Street
• One Park Plaza
• 20 Elm Avenue
• 2111 Nevada Street
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-19
 Addresses
Street names that involve the number ten
or a lower number are written entirely as
ordinal words (First, Second, Third).
In street names involving numbers greater
than ten, the numeral portion is written in
figures.
• 114 Fifth Avenue
• 404 42nd Street
• 2094 East 33rd Street
• 11300 68th Avenue
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-20
Telephone and Fax Numbers
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
1814-21
21
Telephone and Fax Numbers
Telephone and fax numbers are expressed with
figures.
 When used, generally place the area code in
parentheses preceding the telephone number.
 You may also separate the area code from the
telephone number with a hyphen or with periods.
• Please call me at (706) 663-0785 if you have
comments.
• You can contact me at 404-394-1228, Ext. 295,
after 10 a.m.
• Our toll-free number, 1.800.937-5594, is
available 24 hours a day.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-22
Company
Companynames
Names
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
1814-23
23
Company Names
When a company or product name
includes numbers, always write these
names using the organization’s preferred
style.
•
•
•
•
•
3Com
L-3 Communications
Six Flags
Super 8 Hotels
Heinz 57 Sauce
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-24
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
1. The committee was
made up of 1 chair and 8
members.
The committee was
made up of one chair
and eight members.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-25
Try Your Skill
2. Wireless service costs
$50.00 per month.
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
Wireless service costs
$50 per month.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-26
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
3. Our next sales meeting
will take place on April
18th.
Our next sales meeting
will take place on April
18.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-27
Try Your Skill
4. All employees should be
at work by 8:00 A.M.
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
All employees should be
at work by 8 a.m.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-28
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
5. The court is located at
Two Broadway Lane.
The court is located at
2 Broadway Lane.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-29
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
6. They will relocate to
8387 South Twelfth
Street.
They will relocate to
8387 South 12th
Street.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-30
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
7. I need another 25¢ for
the vending machine.
I need another 25
cents for the vending
machine.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-31
Try Your Skill
8. A down payment of
$2500 is required.
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
A down payment of
$2,500 is required.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-32
Try Your Skill
9. 21 employees called in
sick on Friday.
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
Twenty-one
employees called in sick
on Friday.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-33
Try Your Skill
10. Please call 800 985 1650
to place your order.
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
Please call
(800) 985-1650 to
place your order.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-34
Learning Objectives: Level 2
• Use the correct form in writing related
numbers, consecutive numbers, periods
of time, ages, anniversaries, and round
numbers.
• Use the correct form in expressing
numbers used with words,
abbreviations, and symbols.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-35
Express Numbers Correctly

Related Numbers

Consecutive Numbers

Periods of Time

Ages and
Anniversaries

Round Numbers

Numbers Used With
Words, Abbreviations,
and Symbols
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-36
 Related Numbers
Related numbers should be expressed as
the largest number is expressed.
• That department has two clerks, eight
administrative assistants, and one manager.
• Of the 24 pieces of equipment, 2 copiers
and 9 computers are still under warranty.
• Two proposals covered 24 employees
working in three branch offices. (Not
related)
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-37
 Consecutive Numbers
When two numbers appear consecutively
and they both modify a following noun,
generally express the first number in
words and the second in figures.
• The builder has only three 4-bedroom
homes left.
• We received fifty 18-page
promotional booklets.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-38
 Consecutive Numbers
If, however, the first number requires three
or more words, both numbers should be
written as figures.
• We need 155 50-cent stamps to complete
the mailing.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-39
 Periods of Time
Periods of time are expressed according to
the general rules (words for numbers ten
and under; figures for numbers 11 and
greater).
• In the past five years, taxes have doubled.
• The business has been operating for 23
years.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-40
 Periods of Time
Use figures to achieve special emphasis in
expressing business concepts such as
discount rates, interest rates, warranty
periods, credit terms, loan periods, and
payment terms.
• We gave that company a 2-month credit
extension.
• The length of the loan was 60 days.
• The length of the warranty period is
ninety (90) days. (Use both in contracts)
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-41
 Ages and Anniversaries
Ages and anniversaries that can be expressed
in one or two words are generally written in
word form.
•
•
At the age of thirty-four, Jeffrey Selnig was
named CEO.
Reduced prices marked the firm’s twentyfifth anniversary.
Those that require more than two words are
written in figures.
•
The company is 125 years old.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-42
 Ages and Anniversaries
Figures are also used when an age
(1) appears immediately after a name;
(2) is expressed in exact years and
months, and sometimes days; or
(3) is used in a legal or technical sense.
When
Lori
A new
Simmons,
he
contract
reaches
26
was
,21
was
finally
, Thomas
named
signed
inherits
manager
after a2two
small
years
years
sum.
and 10
ago.months of negotiations.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-43
 Round Numbers
Round numbers (approximations) may be
expressed in word or figure form, although
figure form is easier to comprehend.
• Nearly 100 (or
one hundred)
employees
invested in the
company profitsharing plan.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-44
 Round Numbers
Round numbers in millions, billions, or
trillions should be expressed with a
combination of figures and words.
• About 2 million retail firms and
435,000 wholesale firms operate in the
United States.
• That firm’s assets are valued at
$3.4 billion.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-45
 Numbers Used With Words,
Abbreviations, and Symbols
Numbers used with words, abbreviations,
and symbols are expressed as figures.
• Please view Table 3 on page 10.
• You can reach her at Extension 435.
• Vehicle No. 23 is still being repaired.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-46
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
1. Of our 368 employees,
only nine have master’s
degrees.
Of our 368 employees,
only 9 have master’s
degrees.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-47
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
2. During 2 months of the
power shortage, 300,000
customers lost energy.
During two months of
the power shortage,
300,000 customers lost
energy.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-48
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
3. He prepared three 50page reports.
He prepared three
50-page reports.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-49
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
4. The term of the loan is
forty-five days.
The term of the loan is
45 days.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-50
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
5. The company has been in
operation for three years
and eight months.
The company has been
in operation for 3 years
and 8 months.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-51
Try Your Skill
6. Your flight will leave from
gate twenty-four.
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
Your flight will leave
from Gate 24.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-52
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
7. Last year the company had
profits of approximately
$2,600,000.
Last year the company
had profits of
approximately $2.6
million.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-53
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
8. Keith Peiris, twenty-one,
is the youngest CEO in
the world.
Keith Peiris, 21, is the
youngest CEO in the
world.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-54
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
9. He became CEO of
CyberTeks.net when he
was only 11 years old.
He became CEO of
CyberTeks.net when he
was only eleven years
old.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-55
Try Your Skill
Make any
needed
corrections to
number
expression.
10. Please credit account
no. 84939 for $254.
Please credit Account
No. 84939 for $254.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-56
Learning Objective: Level 3
• Express correctly weights,
measurements, fractions, percentages,
and decimals.
• Use the correct form in expressing
grades, scores, voting results, and
ordinals.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-57
Express Numbers Correctly

Weights and
Measurements

Fractions

Percentages and
Decimals

Grades, Scores, and
Voting Results

Ordinals
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-58
 Weights and Measurements
Express weights, measures, and
temperatures as figures.
•
•
•
•
The Persian rug measured 9 x 12 feet.
We needed 2 quarts of oil and 15 gallons
of gasoline.
The lowest temperature ever recorded was
minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit in 1983
at a Russian station in Antarctica.
Did you order the 16- or 20-pound
stationery?
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-59
 Fractions
Simple fractions are expressed as words.
If a fraction functions as a noun, no
hyphen is used. If it functions as an
adjective, a hyphen separates its parts.
• Nearly two thirds of the members were
present. (Noun)
• Getty purchased a four-fifths interest in
Amco. (Adjective)
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-60
 Fractions
Long or awkward fractions appearing in
sentences may be written either as figures
or as a combination of figures and words.
• Machinery must be calibrated to 1
millionth of a second.
• His airbag inflated 3/200 of a second
after the crash.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-61
 Fractions
Mixed fractions (whole numbers with
fractions) are always expressed as figures.
The recipe
calls for
1¾ cups of
flour.
His slides measured 2
¼ by 2¼.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-62
 Percentages and Decimals
Percentages are expressed as figures that
are followed by the word percent.
The percent sign (%) is used only on
business forms or in statistical
presentations.
• Interest rates rose from 5 percent to 11
percent.
• A total of 89 percent of
the employees cast votes in
favor of the merger.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-63
 Percentages and Decimals
Express decimals with figures.
• The elevator completed its
descent in 8.7 seconds.
• Specifications require a setting of .005
inch.
• The national high school
graduation rate has increased
3.5 percent.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-64
 Grades, Scores, and Voting Results
Use figures to express academic grades,
scores on tests or of sporting events, and
voting results.
• Fewer than 0.5 percent of the voters
supported the plan.
• Maxwell was excited to get a grade of 99 on
the final exam in his business English class.
• The lowest NBA score
occurred in 1955 when
Boston beat Milwaukee
65 to 57.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-65
 Ordinals
General rule: Ordinal numbers are
expressed in word form (first, second,
third, etc.).
• The first book was printed in the
fifteenth century.
• Our bank ranks tenth in terms of total
assets.
• Pete Sessions represents the Thirtysecond Congressional District in Texas.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-66
 Ordinals
Three exceptions to the general rule:
 Use figure form for dates appearing before a
month or appearing alone.
• I called your office on the 5th and on
the 21st to confirm.
• On the 9th of June,
we signed the contract.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-67
 Ordinals
 Use figure form for street names
involving numbers greater than ten.
• Their retail outlet is located on
Eighth Avenue; their warehouse is
located on 42nd Street.
 Use figure form when the ordinal
would require more than two words.
• Special recognition was given to the
1,000th visitor.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-68
Quick Chart for Number Expression
Use Words
 Numbers ten
and
under
 Numbers at
beginnings of
sentences
Use Figures
 Numbers 11 and
over
 Money
 Dates/Addresses
 Telephone/Fax
Numbers
 Ages
 Weights/Measurements
 Anniversaries
 Percentages/Decimals
 Simple fractions
 Grades/Scores/Votes
 Business terms
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-69
Try Your Skill
1. A retail store on 7th
Avenue had sales of over
one million dollars.
Revise to show
correct number
form.
A retail store on
Seventh Avenue had
sales of over $1
million.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-70
Try Your Skill
2. We ordered eight new
computers for fifteen
employees in two
branches.
Revise to show
correct number
form.
We ordered eight new
computers for 15
employees in two
branches.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-71
Try Your Skill
3. Your sixty-day loan
carries an interest rate of
nine percent and must be
Revise to show
repaid by June thirtieth.
correct number
form.
Your 60-day loan carries
an interest rate of 9
percent and must be
repaid by June 30.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-72
Try Your Skill
Revise to show
correct number
form.
4. The employees voted
nineteen to five to accept
the new contract.
The employees voted
19 to 5 to accept the
new contract.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-73
Try Your Skill
5. We need 45 70-cent
postage stamps to send
the last fifty packets.
Revise to show
correct number
form.
We need forty-five 70cent postage stamps to
send the last 50 packets.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-74
Try Your Skill
6. Over 1/3 of the
employees have children.
Revise to show
correct number
form.
Over one third of the
employees have
children.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-75
Try Your Skill
7. We need a 2/3 vote to
pass the bond issue.
Revise to show
correct number
form.
We need a two-thirds
vote to pass the bond
issue.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
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Try Your Skill
8. Her Ford Focus takes
twelve gallons of gas.
Revise to show
correct number
form.
Her Ford Focus takes 12
gallons of gas.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
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Try Your Skill
9.
Revise to show
correct number
form.
Approximately 77% of
television viewers pay more
attention to advertisements
during the Super Bowl than
they do normally.
Approximately 77 percent
of television viewers pay more
attention to advertisements
during the Super Bowl than
they normally do.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-78
Try Your Skill
10. Croatia ranks one
hundred twenty sixth in
the
world
in
terms
of
Revise to show
population.
correct number
form.
Croatia ranks 126th in
the world in terms of
population.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-79
The Mysterious Number Trick
Pick a number from
1-9.
Subtract 5.
Multiply by 3.
(multiply the number
by itself).
digit remains
(for example, 34 = 3 + 4 =
7).
than 5, add five.
Otherwise, subtract
four.
Now let’s do
something FUN with
numbers!
Add the digits until one
If the number is less
Square the number
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-80
The Mysterious Number Trick
Multiply the number by
2.
Subtract 6 from the
number.
Map the number to a
letter in the alphabet.
(Use the key 1=A, 2=B,
etc.)
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-81
The Mysterious Number Trick
Pick a name of a
country that begins
with that letter.
Take the second letter in
the country name and
think of a mammal that
begins with that letter.
Think of the color of
that mammal.
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
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The Mysterious Number Trick
You picked a gray elephant
from Denmark!
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-83
A Different Conclusion?
If you did not get that exact answer, you
either thought of a
Unique country (for example, Djibouti, a
small country in eastern Africa)
Unique mammal (for example, an echidna,
which is native to New Guinea and
Australia)
Or you need to recheck your math and try
again!
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
14-84
“I have always tried hard and faithfully to
improve my English and never to degrade
it. I always try to use the best English to
describe what I think and what I feel, or
what I don’t feel and don’t think.”
--Mark Twain
© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer
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