[BITList] Doing maths with Roman numerals

[Ronald Thomas]

Don't the French too have a similar system? e.g. soixante-dix (60 +10 =70). Quatre vingt (4  x 20 = 80), Quatre vingt dix (4 x 20 + 10 = 90) ?  Ron
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: HUGH 
  To: bitlist at lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com 
  Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 5:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [BITList] Doing maths with Roman numerals


  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.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  To unsubscribe from this email List, send an email to:
  BITList-unsubscribe at lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com

  BITList mailing list
  BITList at lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com
  http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/mailman/listinfo/bitlist

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20100509/41926576/attachment.shtml