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multiplicative grouping system
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multiplicative grouping system

numeral systems
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A multiplicative grouping system is a type of numeral system where specific names are assigned to numbers like 1, the base (b), and its powers (b2, b3, etc.). Additionally, names are given to numbers from 2 up to b-1. These latter numbers are then used in place of repetitions of the base powers. For example, instead of writing 7000 + 300 + 90 + 2, a multiplicative system might represent this as 7M3C9X2, where M, C, and X represent 1000, 100, and 10, respectively. The Chinese numeral system is a primary example of this type of notation. This contrasts with simple grouping systems, like Roman numerals, where numbers are formed by repeating symbols additively (e.g., XXIII for 23).12

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. numerals and numeral systems - Multiplicative grouping systems
  2. numeral system
  3. numerals and numeral systems - Ciphered numeral systems
  4. numerals and numeral systems - Greek numerals

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