Scribes counted grain, cattle and workers all day, so they needed numbers. Egyptian numbers are easy to read once you know six signs.
Key idea
A stroke 𓏤 is 1, a hobble 𓎆 is 10, a coil of rope 𓍢 is 100, and a lotus 𓆼 is 1,000. Repeat a sign to add it up.
Why it works
Egyptian numbers work by adding, not by place. Three strokes are 3. Two hobbles are 20. To read a number, count each kind of sign, multiply by its value, and add. Bigger numbers used a finger for 10,000, a tadpole for 100,000, and a kneeling god with raised arms for 1,000,000.
| Sign | Shows | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 𓏤 | a stroke | 1 |
| 𓎆 | a hobble for cattle | 10 |
| 𓍢 | a coil of rope | 100 |
| 𓆼 | a lotus plant | 1,000 |
| 𓂭 | a finger | 10,000 |
| 𓆐 | a tadpole | 100,000 |
Worked example: Read a number
Three coils of rope and two hobbles. What number is it?
- 3 coils × 100 = 300.
- 2 hobbles × 10 = 20.
- 300 + 20 = 320.
Answer: 320.
Worked example: Write a number
How would you write 42?
- 42 = 4 tens + 2 ones.
- So: 4 hobbles and 2 strokes.
Answer: Four hobbles and two strokes.
Common mistake
Reading the signs by place, like our digits. Egyptian numbers just add up: three coils and two hobbles is 320, in any order. There is no sign for zero, and none is needed.