Eastern Arabic Numerals
A positional numeral system using Arabic-Indic digits
About Eastern Arabic Numerals
Eastern Arabic numerals, also known as Arabic-Indic numerals, are the symbols used to represent numbers in Arabic script. These numerals are used throughout the Arab world and in many other regions that use Arabic script, including Persian, Urdu, and Pashto.
The system is a positional decimal (base-10) numeral system, similar to Western Arabic numerals (0-9), but with distinct visual symbols. Numbers are written from left to right, with each digit's position determining its value. The system originated in India and was later adopted and modified by Arabic mathematicians.
Key Features:
- Uses 10 distinct symbols (0-9) in Arabic-Indic script.
- Positional notation system where each digit's position determines its value.
- Read from left to right, with the rightmost digit representing ones, next representing tens, and so on.
- Different from Western Arabic numerals (0-9) but functionally equivalent.
- Used in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Pashto, and other languages using Arabic script.
- Historically significant as the numeral system that spread to Europe and became the basis for modern Western numerals.