Cuneiform math isn't the most terrible. It's 'column' based, like the modern arabic version we have. However, at some times they lacked the 0 representation. R

Cuneiform math isn't the most terrible. It's 'column' based, like the modern arabic version we have. However, at some times they lacked the 0 representation. Roman numerals, however, are quite difficult. In addition to the problems with basic manipulations (27-9, or XXVI - IX), they also lacked any higher symbols than 1000 (M in Roman). So for 15,000 you have to write MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. I'll spare you numbers like 1,000,000. Here's a good video on how to do math in Cuneiform, and a brief discussion on Roman numerals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR3zzQP3bII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR3zzQP3bII Strangely, Numberphile has yet to do a video on Roman/Chinese number systems. Maybe because it's really hard to do math with them, and that's a bit boring to just show that it's hard. EDIT: I have been misinformed, Chinese numbers are in fact easy to work with.