Word Representation of Numbers

< 7.4 Representing Numbers 0 – 999 | Topic Index | 7.6 Number Names – Indian Tradition >

Reading &amp; writing numbers in words, is the most difficult aspect of learning numbers. This difficulty is compounded in English as most children in India have difficulty with the language itself.

However, the logical structure of the number naming system, can be used to make the learning much easier. Many of the number names are repeated. If this is brought to the attention of the students, they will realise that their learning load is much less.

Look at the following table of number names.

Unique Property
 * 1) It only has a list of 30 words. But all the numbers from 0 to 99,999 can be represented by these 30 words. For example      945 is Nine Hundred Forty Five (4 words) 813 is Eight Hundred Thirteen (3 words) 87, 267 is Eighty Seven Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Seven (7 words)
 * 2) If the words are seen horizontally, their logical connection comes out. Eg Three, Thirteen &amp; Thirty. Hence the logical sequence of the number names can be understood.
 * 3) Only four words have no logic and have to be learnt separately – Eleven, Twelve, Hundred &amp; Thousand
 * 4) Recognizing &amp; Reading numbers     If these 30 names are written on cards, with multiple copies, the children can practice forming the words by arranging the respective cards.Children can even make their own sets and practice these skills at home.By repeated practice, the &ldquo;spellings&rdquo; will get internalized
 * 5) Writing the numbers     Once the &ldquo;spellings&rdquo; are internalized, writing the number names would become easier.</li></ol>

This exercise would also bring out the fact that, except for &ldquo;Thousand&rdquo; none of the other 29 words, uses the letter &ldquo;a&rdquo;. This means that none of the number names from 0 to 999 (a thousand numbers) uses the letter &ldquo;a&rdquo;.

Hence a fun quiz question which children could use to stump their parents is &ldquo;Tell me in 5 minutes, a thousand words which do not use the letter &lsquo;a&rsquo;&rdquo;.

The word &ldquo;zero&rdquo; is never used in any other number name, except itself!

< 7.4 Representing Numbers 0 – 999 | Topic Index | 7.6 Number Names – Indian Tradition >