3 ms·

> arithmetic with Roman numerals is just the start! Arabic, I think you mean. Arithmetic with Roman numerals is awful.

• laxmin 4y ago
  Hindu numerals if we have to be precise, transmitted to the west by Arabs
  • eropple 4y ago
    Right, true--the term I've most often heard in Western circles these days is "Hindu-Arabic" numerals, but I didn't want to confuse.
    • CydeWeys 4y ago
      I've also heard the term Western Arabic, contrasted with Eastern Arabic.
• Jedd 4y ago
  > Arabic, I think you mean. Arithmetic with Roman numerals is awful. Hindu numerals, do you mean?
  • earth_walker 4y ago
    Why Hindu (the religion) and not Hindi (the language)?
    • Jedd 4y ago
      I really don't know. It's generally phrased as Hindu-originating - I can only speculate why it's now attached to a religious / social group rather than a language. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Hindu%E2%80%93Arabic_numeral_system https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Hindu%E2%80%93A...
• kqr 4y ago
  ...of course. Roman numerals held us back for centuries. Sorry about that embarrassing brainfart.