How to use numbers
- be consistent when deciding whether to use numerals or words to represent numbers
- use numerals in scientific papers or projects that use numbers often
- start sentences with words, not numerals
Instances when you always use numerals
- with abbreviations and symbols
- with units of measurement
- in addresses
- in dates
- in decimals
- in page numbers
- time
Instances when you always use words
- if the number begins a sentence
- if the number can be written in one or two words
- if a non-statistical number is used in a sentence with other statistical numbers
- time followed by o'clock or if telling time in quarters, halves, or hours
Dates and Time
- use words for centuries
- use words or numerals for decades
- BC follows the year number
- AD comes before the year number
- could also use BCE or CE, both placed after the year
Inclusive Numbers
- for three digit number ranges, give only the last two digits of the second number unless more are needed to prevent misunderstanding
- for a range of years, take out the first two digits of the second year if they're the same as the ones on the first year (1987-98)
- write out the year numbers in a range if the first two digits are different (1900-2001)
- don't abbreviate year numbers for years before AD 1 or 1 CE
Roman Numerals
- use capitalized ones in outlines or after names of people
- use lowercase roman numerals when writing the page numbers for an introductory section
Subject:
Subject X2:
