Numbers and Numerals: Part 2 - Sunday
This is the second part of Rashmi’s series on numbers and numerals. You can find the first part here.
Rhea (R) was helping her brother water the garden plants when Dhruv (D) rang the doorbell.
D: Hey Rhea! Any luck with our cryptic clue yet?
R (frowning): Did you come in here for that?
D (grinning): Just thought I’d come say hi. After all,...
R: Hmm, cut it out! To answer your question, no. Still thinking.
D: I was wondering if we can figure this out, together. I was thinking about this last night. We could begin by trying to understand what the word even means. What is an even number?
R: A number with last digits 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.
D: Right. But, since Anu ma’am said that we should try and think of it without using the concept of numerals, let’s avoid using this digit-based definition.
R: I really don’t understand what that means. What is the difference between numbers and numerals? Aren’t they the same thing?
D: Hmm, let’s look up ‘numeral’ in the dictionary.
R: Oxford Dictionary gives this meaning of ‘numeral’: “a figure, symbol, or group of figures or symbols denoting a number.” Oh, I think I got...!! (appears suddenly confused). Wait, no! I thought I had figured it out, but I guess not.
D: I think I’m beginning to get it. But I’m unable to describe what I’m thinking. Never mind, let’s have lunch and we’ll ask Anu Ma’am on Monday.
A flash of light and a loud clang! Dhruv looked around him, not remotely surprised, but mildly annoyed. Rhea turned towards the source of the sound and panicked.
R: Oh my god, what is that?
D: Umm, you mean ‘who is that’? That’s Socrates. He keeps showing up. Apparently whenever he feels I’m giving up, he jumps in. I found it really entertaining at first, but sometimes it's a little annoying.
S: Hello Dhruv! It is I, Socrates.
D: Yes, yes, I know! I alwaysknow.
S: But you can never be sure!
D (rolls eyes): He always does this.
R: But this is great, Dhruv! Maybe Socrates can help us. Socrates, what’s the difference between numbers and numerals?
S: Rhea, that’s not what I’m here for. I never give away the answers. But I can give you a clue.
R: Alright, a clue then!
S: Let’s look at it this way. How do you write 2 in Hindi?
Rhea drew the symbol on the board: २
S: That’s right. How about Roman 2?
Dhruv drew another symbol on the board: II
S: So, what do 2, २, and II have in common?
R: Umm, they all mean the same thing.
D: And I guess this ‘same thing’ is the ‘number’. Is that what Anu Ma’am was talking about, Socrates? Socrates? Hellloooo??!
In their excitement, they hadn’t noticed that Socrates was gone!
D (laughing): He always leaves when I get back on track. Ok, now, I’m really hungry!
Pause and Reflect:
How does this renewed understanding of numbers and numerals help you understand why Anu ma’am found the proof the class was discussing to be trickery.
Image Credits: Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash
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