Why do most languages use the same numerals such as 1,2,3, 100, 1000, etc., but they don't use the same letters? When did everyone adopt the same characters for numbers?
2007-01-21 07:34:45 · 4 answers · asked by BreadCollision 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Civilizations tend to adopt whatever they think is better, in order to improve, even if that includes 'borrowing' work from other cultures. For example, the Mandarin alphabet is used in regions of China and the like because they find it more useful, since they have been using it since they were a child and have been brought up with it. For those learning the language, Roman alphabet characters (pinyin) are used to help with the pronunciation of the Mandarin symbols.
Countries take what they think is better. The Roman numerals system died out because of its impracticality and its lack of the number zero. People use the Arabic number system (1, 2, 3) because it is the easiest and best way.
2007-01-21 07:44:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In parts of the world that speak Arabic, some of these countries use a different numbering system (which is confusing because the numbers we call "Arabic" =1, 2, 3 etc., are not used there).
2007-01-21 18:17:08 · answer #2 · answered by elf2002 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The arabic numerals are adopted for the ease of calculation. Most nations use these numerals for that simple reason. Math becomes a bit tricky in something like Roman numerals or using Chinese characters.
2007-01-21 15:44:15 · answer #3 · answered by fangtaiyang 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
dunno i just know most came from latin, like french, spanish, ...etc.
2007-01-21 15:38:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋