The Mystery of Egyptian Numerals: Why They Used Base-10

There is a lot of speculation on the basis of the Egyptian number system, but very limited evidence exists to support any specific theory. The use of a base-10 system is largely attributed to the number of fingers a person has, as it is quite likely that the Egyptians adapted their counting to match the number of digits on their hands.

How Did Egyptians Use Numbers?

The ancient Egyptian system of numerals was quite different from the base-10 system we use today. Instead of a single symbol representing a power of ten, such as 1, 10, 100, 1000, and so on, the Egyptians used symbols to represent 1, 10, 100, and so forth. For instance, the symbol for 1 could be written several times to represent larger numbers, such as 23 by writing the symbol for 1 three times and the symbol for 10 two times.

One of the significant differences in their system is the absence of a symbol for zero. Unlike all base-n systems that use a placeholder, such as our modern decimal system, which is based on the concept of zero, the Egyptians did not have a zero symbol. This made certain calculations more complex but also reflected a different approach to mathematics.

Regarding the question of why the Egyptians arranged everything in tens, the most plausible explanation is that most people can count to ten on their fingers, making it a natural and convenient base system. The Romans, who were contemporaries of the ancient Egyptians, also used a counting system based on their fingers, which is why Roman numerals have symbols for 1 and 10 (I and X).

What Influenced the Egyptian Number System?

Some later number systems, including those that influenced the French counting system, were base 20. However, it is widely believed that the Egyptian number system was the first written number system known to humanity. This suggests that the Egyptians played a pivotal role in the development of early mathematical notation, which paved the way for the systems used in later civilizations.

The methodology behind the Egyptian number system being the first written system has much to do with the culture and practical needs of ancient Egypt. They needed a system that was easily understood and used in everyday transactions, as well as for monumental construction projects that required precise measurements.

A Lack of Written Evidence

Interestingly, there is a lack of written evidence to definitively prove why the Egyptians chose a base-10 system. Many theories suggest that the base was selected because of the physical attributes of the human body, especially the number of fingers. However, without concrete sources or inscriptions to back up these theories, they remain speculative.

The absence of a symbol for zero or negative numbers further complicates the understanding of their mathematical practices. While this may seem limiting to our modern perspective, it also reflects the practicality and simplicity of their counting and calculating methods, which were effective for their time and purposes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the exact reasoning behind the Egyptians' use of a base-10 number system remains unclear, it is likely that their counting methods were influenced by the number of fingers they had. Despite the absence of a zero and negative numbers, the ancient Egyptian numeral system played a crucial role in the development of numerical notation in early civilizations.