The Egyptian Number System
This is a base-10 number system where each landmark number is 10 times
the previous one.
Any number is written using the following symbols.
The special symbols for the powers of 10 are known as landmark
numbers.
Example: Consider 324 and 1244.
324 = 100 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1
= 
1244 = 1000 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
=
Although Egyptian number system is a decimal system, it lacks use of
positional value.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Write numeral for the following Egyptian
symbols.
Solution:
=
1000 + 1000 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1
= 2000 + 200 + 20 + 2
= 2222
Example 2: Add 96 and 54 using the Egyptian system.
+
Solution: Arrange all the symbols together.
Example 3: Find the product.
a.
× 
= 102 × 10 = 103
b.
× 
= 103 × 104 = 107
Advantages of Base-10 System
1. Adding a symbol 10 times gives a single symbol. For example, ten becomes a .
2. The product of two landmark numbers is a landmark number.
For example, × 
= 
Disadvantages of the Egyptian System
1. This system has the symbols to represent numbers till a crore (107).
Thus, there arises a need for unending creation of symbols for representing
larger numbers greater than 107.
2. We need many symbols to represent a large number.
Now, try to solve these questions yourself which are based on Egyptian
Number System.
1. Express the following numbers in the Egyptian Number System.
a. 269 b. 2046 c. 723 d. 2305
2. What numbers do these symbols given in Egyptian Number System represent?
a. 
b. 
3. Express the following numbers in Egyptian Number System and add them.
Express the sum in both Egyptian and Hindu Number Systems.
a. 45 + 38 b.
237 + 126 c. 102
+ 105
4. Find the poduct.
a. ×
b. × 
c. 
×
d. ×