NUMBERS

[KUSTARD]

What is the only Roman numeral that is intentionally inaccurate on high quality clock faces that employ Roman numerals?
Grateful for any help with this and if anyone knows the answer, I would like to know why!!

[Quizmonkey]

Just look at any clock! It's IIII instead of IV.

[emeritus]

4 usually shows as 1111

[KUSTARD]

Thanks so much to you both. I've NEVER noticed that!!! Do you know why? Also, sorry but I've just realised I haven't got another one.

If 10's company and 11's a crowd, what is 10 + 10 (Is this a trick question?!)

[dr b]

Assuming they're using binary digits, 0010 = 2 and 0011 = 3, so 10+10 (2+2) = 4, and in binary digits 4 = 0100.

[dr b]

info on binary numbers here:

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Binary.html

[KUSTARD]

Thanks drB. That is mindboggling!!!!! We didn't do binary when I was at school but I was pretty good on an abacus!!

[sandyRoe]

You had an abacus, Kustard? All we had was a stick and a rusty knife to cut notches in it.

[KUSTARD]

Was the knife made of flint Sandy?

[mike11111]

IIII, as opposed to IV, is not inaccurate. The figure 4 was typically written iiii in mediaeval manuscripts. If you look at coins from the reign of William IV the obverse carries his name in Latin: Gulielmus IIII.

[KUSTARD]

Thanks for that info Mike. It's nice to know these things but if anyone asks me in the future I probably won't remember!

[Famous5]

Have a look at this

http://www.ubr.com/cl...v-on-clock-dials.aspx

which gives several possible reasons

[KUSTARD]

Thanks Famous 5 (I used to love your books when I was little!!!) That item was really interesting. Amazing what's on the net if you know where to look! I will be able to go on Mastermind soon to answer questions on Roman numerals.

[TheWinner]

Hiya KUSTARD.

[KUSTARD]

Hiya Winner. Thinking I hadn't seen anything of you lately. Mind you, I've been busy and don't get on much these days. Hope you are well and see this, Love K x