Dear Number Mavens,

Yesterday we compared the Mayan number system to our own. We’re so used to everything being based around 10, when we see a different system that’s based around 20, it takes us awhile to wrap our minds around it. But it seems that most of you understood the difference and could figure out what the symbols stood for. Some of you even figured out how to represent large numbers using only Mayan symbols. That’s tough work!

Humans use numbers to represent things in their world. The Mayans used numbers to understand time, seasons, space, and architecture. They needed numbers so they could create masterful works: pyramids, calendars, and trade routes. Today, we do the same thing with our number system. While the number systems might look different, they both show a deeply human desire to understand the world and change it for the better.

Sincerely,

Mr. H