Why does the number four appear as iiii rather then iv on some clocks and watches?

Answer 1

Never seen a clock with iiii
only iv

must be a throw back.

Answer 2

because iiii and iv are exactly the same in roman numerals

iv means 1 subtracted from 5 equalling 4
where as
iiii means 1 and 1 and 1 and 1 equals 4

you will never see iiii outside of the initial first ten numbers once you get past ten (x) the iv plays a big part in space saving.

i
ii
iii
iiii or iv
v
vi
vii
viii
viiii or ix
x
xi
xii
xiii
xiv
xv
xvi
xvii
xviii
xix
xx
blah blah blah all the way to 100
c
ci
cii
ciii
civ
cv
cvi
cvii
cviii
cix

at some point in time the line of letters can grow so long that it is hard to recognize what the letters really mean without being truely versed in the art. Can you imagine what the number 4 or 9 would look like if used in a string that represented 4, 9494,694

Answer 3

Do you know of the tallying system?
That is where Roman numberals came from, more or less.
The V stand for IIII with a line thru it?
IIII was the original IV, way back in the day, it is still used as an alternative.

Believe it or not, it wan't until the last couple centuries that people (en mass) could count very well at all. Most medival people could count no higher than 20 or 40. All though that may just be another one of my teachers' many lies.

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

I think it's probably used on come clocks and watches to make it easier to distinguish four from six (though the position of the number should really be a give a big clue).

Apparently, IIII is the original form, as explained on the wikipedia webpage I've cited.

Answer 6

I have a watch like that! It took me quite a while to notice it, actually.

My guess is that, based on the position of the number on the dial, it would be hard to read it because the numbers would be kind of on an angle, making it unclear whether it was IV or VI. IIII is less ambiguous.

P.S. My watch is a Casio. Not an off-brand.

Answer 7

actually iiii is correct. but since some people in ancient Roma couldn't read it, it became iv.

Answer 8

Style Honey-it sets them apart from everyone else. It's part of the features included in the cost. :)

Answer 9

ive never seen that, must of been made in china or somthing like that lol

Answer 10

Because the clockmaker is an idiot.