The Number Concept eBook

Levi L. Conant
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 185 pages of information about The Number Concept.

The Number Concept eBook

Levi L. Conant
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 185 pages of information about The Number Concept.

   1. ca.
   2. lue.
   3. koeni.
   4. eke.
   5. tji pi.
   6. ca ngemen = 1 above.
   7. lue ngemen = 2 above.
   8. koeni ngemen = 3 above.
   9. eke ngemen = 4 above.
  10. lue pi = 2 x 5.
  11. ca ko.
  12. lue ko.
  13. koeni ko.
  14. eke ko.
  15. koeni pi = 3 x 5.
  16. ca huai ano.
  17. lua huai ano.
  18. koeni huai ano.
  19. eke huai ano.
  20. ca atj = 1 man.

  BONGO.[245]

   1. kotu.
   2. ngorr.
   3. motta.
   4. neheo.
   5. mui.
   6. dokotu = [5] + 1.
   7. dongorr = [5] + 2.
   8. domotta = [5] + 3.
   9. doheo = [5] + 4.
  10. kih.
  11. ki dokpo kotu = 10 + 1.
  12. ki dokpo ngorr = 10 + 2.
  13. ki dokpo motta = 10 + 3.
  14. ki dokpo neheo = 10 + 4.
  15. ki dokpo mui = 10 + 5.
  16. ki dokpo mui do mui okpo kotu = 10 + 5 more, to 5, 1 more.
  17. ki dokpo mui do mui okpo ngorr = 10 + 5 more, to 5, 2 more.
  18. ki dokpo mui do mui okpo motta = 10 + 5 more, to 5, 3 more.
  19. ki dokpo mui do mui okpo nehea = 10 + 5 more, to 5, 4 more.
  20. mbaba kotu.

Above 20, the Lufu and the Bongo systems are vigesimal, so that they are, as a whole, mixed systems.

The Welsh scale begins as though it were to present a pure decimal structure, and no hint of the quinary element appears until it has passed 15.  The Nahuatl, on the other hand, counts from 5 to 10 by the ordinary quinary method, and then appears to pass into the decimal form.  But when 16 is reached, we find the quinary influence still persistent; and from this point to 20, the numeral words in both scales are such as to show that the notion of counting by fives is quite as prominent as the notion of referring to 10 as a base.  Above 20 the systems become vigesimal, with a quinary or decimal structure appearing in all numerals except multiples of 20.  Thus, in Welsh, 36 is unarbymtheg ar ugain, 1 + 5 + 10 + 20; and in Nahuatl the same number is cempualli caxtolli oce, 20 + 15 + 1.  Hence these and similar number systems, though commonly alluded to as vigesimal, are really mixed scales, with 20 as their primary base.  The Canaque scale differs from the Nahuatl only in forming a compound word for 15, instead of introducing a new and simple term.

In the examples which follow, it is not thought best to extend the lists of numerals beyond 10, except in special instances where the illustration of some particular point may demand it.  The usual quinary scale will be found, with a few exceptions like those just instanced, to have the following structure or one similar to it in all essential details:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 10, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-5-1, 10-5-2, 10-5-3, 10-5-4, 20.  From these forms the entire system can readily be constructed as soon as it is known whether its principal base is to be 10 or 20.

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The Number Concept from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.