Introduction to Number Systems
In this introductory lesson on number systems, we learn about the history behind how numbers came about and how we represent them today. From using tokens to represent quantities to creating symbols that can be universally understood, we explore the various ways in which people count and categorize numbers, including binary, decimal, and hexadecimal systems. We also learn about the significance of the zero symbol and how it helps us differentiate between different quantities. Overall, this lesson provides a basic understanding of numbers and their representation that is essential for understanding more complex mathematical concepts.
A very basic introduction to numbers and number systems. Includes history behind how numbers came about and how we represent numbers.
Check out www.themathdude.org for more videos.
- Numeral System Background - The Wikipedia link from the lesson explaining the numeral system and how it came about.
- Arabic numerals - A Wikipedia link from the lesson explaining Arabic numerals and how they came about.
- Where did numbers originate?
- How did early people write numbers?
- Where did our current numbers and symbols come from?
- How do you count in other bases?
- How do you count in base 5, base 60, or base 2?
- Where did 0 or nothing come from in math history?
- What is a number system and how does a number system work?
-
Staff Review
This lesson explains the origin of numbers and how different people, cultures, and time periods represented numbers. Arabic numerals and other ways of writing numbers are explained as well. Overall, this is a good basic introduction to where our current numbers came from.
