ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Suzhou numerals

Suzhou numerals are special symbols that are used to represent numbers in some parts of China. These symbols are different from the numbers that we learn in school, but they work in the same way. Suzhou numerals were developed by the people of Suzhou, a city in eastern China, a long time ago.

In Suzhou numerals, each number is represented by a different symbol, similar to how we use the digits 0 through 9 to represent numbers. For example, the number 1 is represented by a single horizontal line, while the number 2 is represented by two horizontal lines stacked on top of each other. The number 3 is represented by three horizontal lines, and so on.

Suzhou numerals are commonly used in markets and shops in China to write prices and to keep track of money. They can also be found on calendars and in books.

Though Suzhou numerals are not used as much anymore, they are still an important part of Chinese culture and history. By using Suzhou numerals, people can connect with the past and learn about different ways of representing numbers.
Related topics others have asked about: