Mayan Number System Worksheet

Mayan Number System

Read the information about the Mayan number system and answer the questions that follow.

The ancient Maya civilization used a unique number system. Unlike our system which uses ten different digits (0-9), the Mayan system used only three symbols: a dot (•) for one, a bar (—) for five, and a shell (—) for zero. Their system was vigesimal, meaning it was based on 20, not 10. They wrote numbers vertically, with the lowest values at the bottom.

Here are the Mayan symbols:

1. How many basic symbols did the Mayan number system use?

2. A dot (•) in the Mayan system represents the number  .

3. A bar (—) in the Mayan system represents the number  .

4. The Mayan number system was based on  , not 10.

5. Draw the Mayan symbol for the number 7.

6. Draw the Mayan symbol for the number 12.

Match the Mayan number with its value.