This multiplication table illustrates how the
Greeks used letters to represent numbers. The first complete line
reads ε ς λ (Epsilon, Stigma, Lambda), which translates
to "5, 6, 30". The second line reads ε ζ λε (Epsilon,
Zeta, Lambda-Epsilon), or "5, 7, 35". The first two
numbers are multiplied together to give the third number, and this
formula was repeated in the complete papyrus for numbers into the
thousands. This text also included fractions, which would be useful
when calculating monetary values.
More information on Greek numbers. |
