Hindu Numeral
Definition:
A "Hindu numeral" refers to one of the symbols used to represent numbers in the decimal system. These symbols include 0 (zero), 1 (one), 2 (two), 3 (three), 4 (four), 5 (five), 6 (six), 7 (seven), 8 (eight), and 9 (nine).
Usage Instructions:
- Hindu numerals are used in everyday counting, mathematics, and in many contexts where numbers are required.
- When writing, you can use these numerals to express quantities, perform calculations, or indicate positions (like in ordering).
Examples:
1. "I have 3 apples." (Here, "3" is a Hindu numeral.) 2. "The book has 250 pages." (Here, "250" uses Hindu numerals.)
Advanced Usage:
- In mathematics, Hindu numerals form the basis of the place value system, where the position of a numeral affects its value. For example, in the number 105, the "1" represents one hundred because it is in the hundreds place, while the "5" is in the ones place.
Word Variants:
- The term "Hindu-Arabic numerals" is often used to refer to these symbols because they were developed in India and later adapted by Arab mathematicians before spreading to Europe.
Different Meanings:
- "Hindu numeral" specifically refers to the numeric symbols. It does not have other meanings in English.
Synonyms:
- Hindu-Arabic numeral (as mentioned above) - Decimal numeral (when referring to numbers in the base-10 system)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
- While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to Hindu numerals, you might encounter phrases like "count on your fingers" or "do the math," which involve numerical concepts.
Summary:
Hindu numerals are the basic symbols we use for numbers in English and many other languages.