Understanding the Mayan Number System

This video tutorial introduces the Mayan number system, focusing on converting Mayan numbers to base 10. It explains the two numerical systems developed by the Mayans, highlighting the differences between the priestly and common people's systems. The tutorial delves into the base 20 vigesimal system, describing its positional nature and the symbols used. It provides rules for writing Mayan numbers and demonstrates the conversion process to base 10 with examples. The video concludes with additional examples to reinforce the learning.

What were the two numerical systems developed by the Mayans?

• One for the common people and one for the priests

• One for the merchants and one for the farmers

• One for the kings and one for the priests

• One for the warriors and one for the priests

What is the base of the vigesimal system used by the Mayans?

• Base 12

• Base 20

• Base 10

• Base 60

Which symbol represents the quantity five in the Mayan number system?

• A horizontal bar

• A vertical line

• A shell

• A dot

What is the significance of the shell symbol in the Mayan number system?

• It represents the number five

• It represents the number one

• It represents the number ten

• It represents zero

How many dots can be placed in a single position in the Mayan number system?

• No more than two

• No more than three

• No more than four

• No more than five

What happens when there are four bars in a single place in the Mayan number system?

• They are converted to one dot in the next place up

• They are converted to two dots in the next place up

• They remain as four bars

• They are converted to a shell symbol

In the Mayan number system, what is the place value of 20 to the second power?

• 1600

• 800

• 400

• 20

How is the number 6 represented in the Mayan number system?

• One shell and one dot

• One horizontal bar and one dot

• Six dots

• Two horizontal bars

What is the base 10 equivalent of a Mayan number with three dots in the 400's place, twelve in the 20's place, and six in the one's place?

• 1,800

• 1,446

• 1,200

• 1,600

In the second example, what is the base 10 value of the Mayan number with one bar in the 8,000's place?

• 5,000

• 8,000

• 10,000

• 12,000