Mayan Mathematics

Mayan Mathematics

Knowledge of the ancient Mayan numbering system and calendar has increased in the last thirty years. In 1541, a Spanish missionary named Diego de Landa believed the Mayan religion was the work of the devil and had a good majority of the Mayan texts and idols containing hieroglyphics destroyed. Landa regretted the harsh decision and tried to make up for his actions to eradicate the Mayan history by writing a book ‘Relacion de las cosas de Yucatan’ describing hieroglyphics, customs, temples, religious practices, and history. One of the documents surviving the initial call for destruction is ‘The Dresden Codex’. The contents describe numerous almanacs and prophesy for the Maya people. The history is in how the Maya developed these almanacs. Astronomy and calendar calculations require mathematics and indeed the Maya constructed a numbering system using a base twenty system (History 2007).

Maya Numbering System

Maya mathematical system is based on groups of twenty. Base 20 system, vigesimal, originated by counting all fingers and toes. Just as the decimal system goes by 1, 10, 100, 1000, etc., the Maya vigesimal system goes, 1, 20, 400, 8000, 16,000, etc. While in the decimal system there are ten possible digits for each place holder [0-9], the base 20 system each placeholder has a possible twenty digits [0-19] (Maya 2012). Numbers are depicted by using dots for units and bars for five units. These numbers can be written vertically or horizontally. Surprising and advanced features of the Mayan numbering system was the use of zero, other mathematical systems begin with the number one. Since the Maya numerical system is based on 20 units, a number greater than 19 requires the use of vertical positioning. For example, in order to write 20 the symbol for zero would be placed under the symbol for two (Maya 2012). To write dates, the Maya would use both hieroglyphics and numbers corresponding to time periods. In calculating events in a calendar, the...