representing numbers in writing

Representing Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

NumeralsNumerals, , DigitsDigits, and , and BeyondBeyond

Defining Defining NumeralNumeral, , DigitDigit, and , and NumberNumber

Numeral:Numeral: symbolic representation of symbolic representation of numbernumber

Digit:Digit: a numeric representation 0-9a numeric representation 0-9

Number:Number: the integer that a numeral the integer that a numeral representsrepresents

Defining Defining NumeralNumeral, , DigitDigit, and , and NumberNumber

The parade was The parade was attended by attended by 12,48212,482 people. people.

Numeral:Numeral: 12,482 12,482

Digits:Digits: 1, 2, 4, 8, 2 1, 2, 4, 8, 2

Number:Number: the concept the concept of 12,482 people. of 12,482 people.

Identify the numerals in the passage to the right.

Identify the numerals in the passage to the right.

*1992*2001*87*11*2*2*13*11*15

Identify the digits in the passage to the right.

Identify the digits in the passage to the right.

1, 9, 9, 2, 2, 0, 0, 1, 8, 7, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1, 1, 1, 5

Identify the numbers in the passage to the right.

Identify the numbers in the passage to the right.

*The year 1992*The year 2001*87 percent*The 11th of September*2 percent*2 percent*13 percent *11 percent*15 percent

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #1:Example #1:

1. 29 people won 1. 29 people won awards.awards.

2. Twenty-nine 2. Twenty-nine people won people won awards.awards.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #1:Example #1:

1. 29 people won 1. 29 people won awards.awards.

2. Twenty-nine 2. Twenty-nine people won people won awards.awards.

Rule #1:Rule #1:

Spell a Spell a numbernumber out if out if it starts a it starts a sentence. sentence.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #2:Example #2:

1. I want five copies.1. I want five copies.

2. I want 5 copies. 2. I want 5 copies.

3. I want thirteen 3. I want thirteen copies.copies.

4. I want 13 copies. 4. I want 13 copies.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #2Example #2

1. I want five copies.1. I want five copies.

2. I want 5 copies. 2. I want 5 copies.

3. I want thirteen 3. I want thirteen copies.copies.

4. I want 13 copies.4. I want 13 copies.

Rule #2Rule #2

Spell out Spell out single-digitsingle-digit whole whole numbersnumbers. . Use Use numeralsnumerals for for numbersnumbers greater greater than nine.than nine.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Correct:Correct:

My My 1010 cats fought with your cats fought with your 22 cats. cats.

My My twotwo cats fought with your cats fought with your tenten cats.cats.

Incorrect:Incorrect:

I asked for I asked for fivefive dollars, not dollars, not $$5050. .

Rule #2Rule #2

Be consistent within a Be consistent within a category. category.

If you have If you have numbersnumbers in in different categories, use different categories, use numeralsnumerals for one category for one category and spell out the other.and spell out the other.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #3:Example #3:

1. My sister ate two-1. My sister ate two-thirds of the pie.thirds of the pie.

2. My sister ate 2/3 of 2. My sister ate 2/3 of the pie.the pie.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #3:Example #3:

1. My sister ate two-1. My sister ate two-thirds of the pie. thirds of the pie.

2. My sister ate 2/3 of 2. My sister ate 2/3 of the pie. the pie.

Rule #3Rule #3

Always spell out simple Always spell out simple fractions and use fractions and use hyphens with them.hyphens with them.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #4:Example #4:

1. You can earn from one 1. You can earn from one million to five million million to five million dollars. dollars.

2. You can earn from 2. You can earn from $1,000,000 to $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. $5,000,000.

3. You can earn from $1 3. You can earn from $1 million to $5 million. million to $5 million.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #4:Example #4:

1. You can earn from one 1. You can earn from one million to five million million to five million dollars.dollars.

2. You can earn from 2. You can earn from $1,000,000 to $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. $5,000,000.

3. You can earn from $1 3. You can earn from $1 million to $5 million. million to $5 million.

Rule #4: Rule #4:

The simplest way to express The simplest way to express large large numbersnumbers is best. is best.

Round Round numbersnumbers are usually are usually spelled out. spelled out.

Stay consistent within a Stay consistent within a sentence.sentence.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #4:Example #4:

1. Your total payment is 1. Your total payment is $15,288.50$15,288.50

2. Your total payment is 2. Your total payment is fifteen thousand, two fifteen thousand, two hundred eighty-eight hundred eighty-eight dollars and fifty cents. dollars and fifty cents.

Rule #4: Rule #4:

The simplest way to express The simplest way to express large large numbersnumbers is best. is best.

Round Round numbersnumbers are usually are usually spelled out. spelled out.

Stay consistent within a Stay consistent within a sentence.sentence.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #5:Example #5:

1.During the eighties and nineties, 1.During the eighties and nineties, the U.S. economy grew.the U.S. economy grew.

2. During the 80’s and 90’s, the U.S. 2. During the 80’s and 90’s, the U.S. economy grew.economy grew.

3. During the ’80s and ’90s, the U.S. 3. During the ’80s and ’90s, the U.S. economy grew. economy grew.

4. During the 1980s and 1990s, the 4. During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. economy grew. U.S. economy grew.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #5:Example #5:

1.During the eighties and nineties, 1.During the eighties and nineties, the U.S. economy grew.the U.S. economy grew.

2. During the 80’s and 90’s, the U.S. 2. During the 80’s and 90’s, the U.S. economy grew.economy grew.

3. During the ’80s and ’90s, the U.S. 3. During the ’80s and ’90s, the U.S. economy grew. economy grew.

4. During the 1980s and 1990s, the 4. During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. economy grew. U.S. economy grew.

Rule #5:Rule #5:

When expressing decades, you can:When expressing decades, you can:- Spell them out and lowercaseSpell them out and lowercase- Use Use numeralsnumerals and put an and put an

apostrophe before the incomplete apostrophe before the incomplete numeralnumeral

- Use complete Use complete numeralsnumerals

*No apostrophe is needed between *No apostrophe is needed between the year and the ‘s’. the year and the ‘s’.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #6:Example #6:

1. She gets up at 4:30 before the 1. She gets up at 4:30 before the baby wakes up.baby wakes up.

2. She gets up at four thirty before 2. She gets up at four thirty before the baby wakes up. the baby wakes up.

3. She gets up at five o’clock before 3. She gets up at five o’clock before the baby wakes up.the baby wakes up.

4. The flight leaves at 6:22 P.M.4. The flight leaves at 6:22 P.M.

5. The flight leaves at six twenty-two 5. The flight leaves at six twenty-two P.M. P.M.

Six Rules for Representing Six Rules for Representing NumbersNumbers in Writing in Writing

Example #6:Example #6:

1. She gets up at 4:30 before the 1. She gets up at 4:30 before the baby wakes up.baby wakes up.

2. She gets up at four thirty before 2. She gets up at four thirty before the baby wakes up. the baby wakes up.

3. She gets up at five o’clock before 3. She gets up at five o’clock before the baby wakes up.the baby wakes up.

4. The flight leaves at 6:22 P.M.4. The flight leaves at 6:22 P.M.

5. The flight leaves at six twenty-two 5. The flight leaves at six twenty-two P.M. P.M.

Rule #6:Rule #6:

Normally, spell out the time of day Normally, spell out the time of day with o’clock, half, or quarter with o’clock, half, or quarter hours.hours.

Use Use numeralsnumerals when exact times are when exact times are being emphasized, or when using being emphasized, or when using A.M. or P.M. A.M. or P.M.

It’s acceptable to use ‘noon’ and It’s acceptable to use ‘noon’ and ‘midnight’ instead of 12:00 P.M. ‘midnight’ instead of 12:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M.and 12:00 A.M.

Numbers:Numbers: Not Just for Math Not Just for Math AnymoreAnymore

Three is a Magic Number