Numbers

The ancient Egyptians were possibly the first civilisation to practice the scientific arts. Indeed, the word chemistry is derived from the word Alchemy which is the ancient name for Egypt.Where the Egyptians really excelled was in medicine and applied mathematics. But although there is a large body of papyrus literature describing their achievements in medicine, there is no records of how they reached their mathematical conclusions. Of course they must have had an advanced understanding of the subject because their exploits in engineering, astronomy and administration would not have been possible without it.

The Egyptians had a decimal system using seven different symbols.1 is shown by a single stroke.10 is shown by a drawing of a hobble for cattle.100 is represented by a coil of rope.1,000 is a drawing of a lotus plant.10,000 is represented by a finger.100,000 by a tadpole or frog1,000,000 is the figure of a god with arms raised above his head.