Grade 5 · Unit 1: Number and place value

Numbers through history

How people wrote numbers long ago.

Counting long ago

Long ago, people counted with tally marks on bones and sticks. Later, each civilisation invented numerals: Egyptian, Babylonian, Mayan, Chinese, Roman, Indian. Each system solved the same problem in a different way.

Roman numerals to 100

Roman numerals use I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100. A smaller letter before a bigger one subtracts: XC = 90. There is no zero and no place value, which makes big sums hard!

The gift of zero

Indian mathematicians used place value with a symbol for zero. Zero holds a place: 405 is not the same as 45. Arab scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi spread these Hindu–Arabic numerals, and Europe learned them from Fibonacci.

Bangla digits

Bangla digits are another form of the same place-value system. ২০২৬ is the same as 2026. Different shapes, same powerful idea.

What I learnt

• I can read and write Roman numerals to 100.
• I know how number systems changed over time.
• I can explain why place value and zero are powerful.