[BITList] Doing maths with Roman numerals

[HUGH]

John,

It is not possible to do maths with Roman numerals beyond basic addition and subtraction.  But the world abounds with odd number systems.  Though the Danes count in the same way as we do, the names of some of their numbers reflect a past that was not as straightforward.  Fifty, seventy and ninety are halvtredsindstyve, halvfjerdsindstyve and halvfemsindstyve, being 3x20 less half 20, 4x20 less half 20, and 5x20 less half 20, respectively.

For others, check http://linguistlist.org/issues/16/16-2448.html

Hugh.
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