Invent Your Own Number System
“Invent Your Own Number System”
5th Grade Mathematics Project
DUE: October 27, 2011
The number system we use today was invented by the Hindus in India thousands of years ago and was brought to Europe around the year 900 by Arab traders. In this system all numbers are written with the nine digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 to show how many, and the zero. It is a decimal system, that is, it is built on the base 10. It also is a place value system meaning that these digits have different values depending upon their placement.
However, in ancient times there was no single number system used all over the world. We have explored other number systems in math class: Roman, Egyptian, Mayan, and Binary. How do they compare and contrast to the Hindu-Arabic Number system we use today? Are they based on 10, 5, 12, 60 or another number? What do they use for their symbols? Do they use place value or is order not important? How do they perform different operations such as addition or subtraction?
Now that you have explored many number systems, it is time to INVENT YOUR OWN! Use these steps to help you:
Þ What will you base your system on?
Þ What symbols will you use and why have you chosen them?
Þ Will place value be important or will order not matter?
Þ How will you perform addition and subtraction?
Your final project must include the following information:
¨ The name of your number system at the top.
¨ Your name on the bottom right hand corner
¨ The symbols with their significance and the Hindu-Arabic numbers they represent. Be sure to include what base you are using and an explanation of place value.
¨ Some examples of conversions as well as addition and subtraction problems with answers.
¨ A paragraph that describes your culture.
¨ Project is NEAT, CREATIVE and decorated with picture and/or designs representing your culture.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am aware my child, ____________________________________________________, has a project titled, “Invent Your Own Number System” due October 27, 2011.
___________________________________________________
Parent Signature and Date
5th Grade Mathematics Project
DUE: October 27, 2011
The number system we use today was invented by the Hindus in India thousands of years ago and was brought to Europe around the year 900 by Arab traders. In this system all numbers are written with the nine digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 to show how many, and the zero. It is a decimal system, that is, it is built on the base 10. It also is a place value system meaning that these digits have different values depending upon their placement.
However, in ancient times there was no single number system used all over the world. We have explored other number systems in math class: Roman, Egyptian, Mayan, and Binary. How do they compare and contrast to the Hindu-Arabic Number system we use today? Are they based on 10, 5, 12, 60 or another number? What do they use for their symbols? Do they use place value or is order not important? How do they perform different operations such as addition or subtraction?
Now that you have explored many number systems, it is time to INVENT YOUR OWN! Use these steps to help you:
Þ What will you base your system on?
Þ What symbols will you use and why have you chosen them?
Þ Will place value be important or will order not matter?
Þ How will you perform addition and subtraction?
Your final project must include the following information:
¨ The name of your number system at the top.
¨ Your name on the bottom right hand corner
¨ The symbols with their significance and the Hindu-Arabic numbers they represent. Be sure to include what base you are using and an explanation of place value.
¨ Some examples of conversions as well as addition and subtraction problems with answers.
¨ A paragraph that describes your culture.
¨ Project is NEAT, CREATIVE and decorated with picture and/or designs representing your culture.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am aware my child, ____________________________________________________, has a project titled, “Invent Your Own Number System” due October 27, 2011.
___________________________________________________
Parent Signature and Date
“Invent Your Own Number System”
Grade Slip
The name of your number system at the top and
your name on the bottom right hand corner _____/1 point
The symbols with their significance _____/3 points
The symbols and the Hindu-Arabic numbers they represent _____/3 points
The base your number system uses _____/1 point
Explanation of symbol order _____/3 points
Conversions with answers _____/3 points
Addition and Subtraction Problems with answers _____/3 points
A paragraph about your culture _____/3 points
Neatness and visual appeal _____/2 points
Creativity (design of number system & presentation) _____/3 points
Grade _______________ Your Total _____/25 points