Numbers and Origins

Place Value and Making Sense….A few thoughts and ideas

Often times students become robots with the place value system. Many may memorize the theory but really don’t understand the underlying properties of the theory. So, how do we help them make sense of it all? Our fundamental goal is for them to understand why there are two ones written side by side in the number eleven. The fact that one of the 1’s is a completely different value than the other is what they need to truly understand. In order to do so, let’s take a look at the history of numeric systems.

Let’s travel to what is today known as northern Central America. Who lived there? Have students analyze the symbols of the Mayan numeration system and decide why each number means what it does. This is a great opportunity for web quests and research to enrich their geography skills.  Students are very intrigued by puzzles and in essence that is exactly the skill they are practicing. They are becoming detectives as they unravel the number behind the symbols and analyze their meaning, the thought behind them and their equivalent to the numeration system they use every day all while creating a deeper understanding for place value.

Mayan Numeration System

Mayan Explanation

Mayan history

Mayan Math Unit


Continue your travels to Egypt where you can continue to unravel the meaning behind the place value in that system.

Egyptian Numeration System

Egyptian Explanation

Interactive game

Last but not least, stop by Ancient Babylon. Have the students play with this system and continue to reinforce the concept of place value. Make comparisons and contrast ideas.

Babylonian Numerals

Babylonian Numerals Explanation

Babylonian History

Class activity


In case students need a review along the way, have them check out the Hindu-Arabic system we are accustomed to. Challenge them to find the history behind the system we use in the USA today.

Hindu Arabic System

Explanation

Place Value Interactive Game

Artists and Mathematicians 

Throughout this journey, students have discovered new ways interpret numbers, enriched their prior knowledge and gained insight into geography, history and how it plays a role in place value. Challenge them to create their own numeration system. Which symbols would they use? How would they stay consistent in their concept? How user friendly would it be? The possibilities are endless.