Have you ever wondered how different cultures and languages name and express numbers? In this article, we will explore various numbering systems, unusual ways to express large numbers, and even touch on the interesting history of a counting horse.
1. Uncommon Number Parts
While most of us are familiar with fractions such as an octant (one-eighth) and a trient (one-third), have you ever come across an expression like “quintant”? Unlike the others, a quintant represents one-fifth. However, a “dodrant” does not exist in the same context, as it is not a standard fraction.
2. The Indian Numbering System and Urdu Language
The Indian numbering system and Urdu language use specific terms for numbers followed by certain sequences of zeroes. For instance, 1 followed by five zeroes is called a “lakh,” seven zeroes is a “crore,” and nine zeroes is an “arab.” When 1 is followed by 11 zeroes, it is known as a “padma.” These names offer a unique and fascinating method of expressing large numbers.
3. Tamil and the Number 100 Million Crore
In the Indian numbering system and the Tamil language, 1 followed by 14 zeroes (100 million crore) is referred to as “poruppu.” This term has a dual usage, as it can also denote ‘strangeness’ in non-numerical contexts.
4. Descendants from Ancient Greek
The term for 10,000, known in English as “myriad,” has its roots in an ancient Greek word meaning “of countless numbers.” In colloquial use, it may loosely imply a very large number.
5. Long Scale and Short Scale Differences
There are two ways to name numbers: the short scale and the long scale. In the short scale, a trillion indicates a thousand-billion, while in the long scale, it represents a million-billion. A quadrillion, on the long scale, is equivalent to a thousand-trillion on the short scale.
[Visual: Name the horse in this picture. Wilhelm von Osten (pictured) claimed this horse could count, but it was later found to be a classic case of experimenter’s bias.]
Clever Hans, the counting horse, became famous in the early 20th century when its owner claimed it could perform arithmetic. Although it was found that Clever Hans could answer correctly based on subtle cues from his trainer, this intriguing tale highlights a critical aspect of scientific research: acknowledging potential bias and approaching all experiments with skepticism and rigor.
In conclusion, various cultures and languages have intriguing ways of expressing and naming numbers. Understanding these unique methods can enrich one’s knowledge of the world and foster curiosity about unusual and often overlooked aspects of mathematics.
