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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Mike Margolis, post: 3177815, member: 88401&quot;]Well I am sure you are aware [USER=19463]@dougsmit[/USER] that we teach certain rules in math so that in a Base ten number system as we use mostly today for algebra, problem solving, engineering etc. a break in some of the simple rules of notation could become a seriously grave error later in building a bridge or landing a spacecraft on another planet. Here are posted two pages from that great book you linked to which speak of the Roman form of number notation/numerals. It explains the exact same rules we teach children in the classroom and also gives the explanation of the origin and the why of how they usually anyway would just have one symbol of lesser value in front of the next symbol to mean that much less than the number. The book also explains how poor the Roman Numeral system was for any advanced math and why they would usually use the abacus for advanced calculations.</p><p>BTW- I do not use textbooks in my class but I do use ancient coins occasionally in my teaching since we study the Latin roots of English as well as other math systems of notation and calculation. I will take your criticism and use it in a positive way along with the coin in the OP to help explain to students how the rules have sometimes been broken or not held to that strictly. How in an archaic system such as these Roman numerals it may not be of much consequence since they were not often used for advanced calculation but maybe show them if we broke a simple rule in base ten or even base two of computer code what the severe consequences might be.</p><p>Page images from <u>THE UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF NUMBERS by[ATTACH=full]818123[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]818124[/ATTACH] </u> George Ifrah- Wiley publishers</p><p>Apologies if this post stirred up any harsh sentiments because I accused the ancient Romans of bad math. It was really meant only in jest. It seems it does get people posting though.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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