1.4 Ways of counting in local languages and different cultures

Mathematics

Grade 4

Whole numbers and their relationships

Module 5

Ways of counting in local languages and different cultures

Activity:

To describe and illustrate various ways of counting in local languages and different cultures throughout history [LO 1.2]

Now you are going to explore the world of number names and symbols to see how our number system developed.

1. NUMBER NAMES

1.1 You have been using numbers and counting on and counting backwards. See if you can remember the names for the numbers in some of our South African languages. In the table below write the name of a local language most commonly used in your area. Now write in the words in that language for numbers 1 to 10.

1.2 GROUP WORK

When children learn to count, they chant the numbers and move rhythmically to the music. Get together with some friends and make up a rap song to count from 11 to 20 in any South African language. Present this song to the rest of the learners.

1.3 Now write number names of another local language most used in your area. Also write the name of the language in the space provided in the second column.

1.4 Try to find out the names for the following numbers and write them in the correct columns:

CHECKLIST: Number names

ASSIGNMENT

You may do this in your own time, at school and/or at home, as your educator decides.

NUMBER SYMBOLS: READING and RESEARCH

(Research is when you need to look up information and use it to answer questions. Ask your educator to take you to the library to do the research in this section or use the computer to look up information on the Internet.)

READ: The following information tells you about counting systems. Now test your skills by answering the questions that follow.

2. Pre-history: People in ancient times

Thousands of years ago, before people could write, they had no knowledge of numbers and figures and they had to find ways of indicating how many animals or possessions they had. They put a small pebble in a bag for every animal they possessed, or carved notches on a stick.

• Why did people start to need numbers?
• Draw a stick with notches carved on it to show that the owner possessed 5 sheep.

2.3 Besides carving notches on a stick, what else did they use to show how many animals they possessed?

Ancient civilizations

3. The Babylonians

Many years later, people used signs or symbols to represent numbers. The Babylonians who lived in Mesopotamia made wedge-shaped notches in wood or pressed such marks into damp clay tablets.