If a symbol is to be designed for representing a numeral, there are some characteristics it should have.
1. It should be distinct from characters used for other purposes so that it will not be confused with those other characters. The character designed for representing a number should not look the same as a letter, especially in mathematics such as algebra where letters are used to represent variables. A symbol that is already commonly used in mathematical notation should not be borrowed for an additional numeral. The numerical characters and other symbols used in mathematics must be expected to appear alongside each other, and for that reason need to be distinct to prevent them being confounded. Outside of mathematics, letters and numerals typically are used together in simple identification codes or labels. When the characters are hand-written, they should still be safely distinguishable from each other.
2. It should resemble the characters for other numerical symbols in form so that it can be recognised as belonging to the set of such characters representing numbers. The Indo-Arabic numerals tend to be more rounded or curved and lack straight lines of full height compared to letters of the Roman alphabet. Of the numerals 0123456789, only the digits 1 and 4 have a full straight vertical line from top to bottom. In other forms of the digit 4, there is not even a full vertical line from top to bottom. The lines of a character designed for a numeral should be capable of being easily read and not cluttered while having a height to width ratio of about two to one so that it can be aligned with the other digits in monospaced numerical strings.
3. It should be capable of being represented in seven-segment modular displays. The character has to be capable of being used in the displays of the simplest pocket calculators, which use the seven-segment type of display, because if the character were not to be so designed it would not be possible to use these calculators in the chosen base. Apart from pocket calculators, the seven-segment type of display is used in other contexts of important notices such as traffic signs. Because of their simplicity and readability, these types of display are very frequently used for messages of the greatest importance or significance.
Because of the seriousness of the applications to which the numerical characters are put, the design of numerals is not a game to be toyed with. For a system of numerical representation for the base, the characters devised should not be left to whim or fancy, to unjustified individual preference, or artistic expressionism. It should not be left to the consensus of impractical hobbyists who have stated no intention of applying the numerical base to real life requirements such as speed limits on the motorway, or the digital meter readings of measuring instruments, like a kitchen thermometer, luggage weighing scales, common alarm clocks, or a nuclear radiation detector, and too many other practical devices to mention.
Probably the single most important condition that the numeral must have is the satisfaction of this thirdly enumerated or listed ability for being representable in seven-segment displays. The second listed condition of resembling in form other digits can easily be implemented by adjusting the seven-segment form to the curvature of hand writing.
Any character proposed for a numeral that fails to agree with the third condition above of being capable of being represented in a seven-segment modular display must be rejected. There can be no mercy for exceptions here.
Any character as a symbol for another numeral that fails to satisfy the first listed condition above of being distinct from commonly used symbols such as common letters or mathematical notation must be rejected. Either that, or such symbols must be rejected in the meaning of their earlier and ordinary mathematical use.
Nevertheless, there is a benefit in a proposed character resembling somewhat, yet being distinct from, a readily available character if this allows such a character to be used as a fallback where a new character is unavailable.
1. It should be distinct from characters used for other purposes so that it will not be confused with those other characters. The character designed for representing a number should not look the same as a letter, especially in mathematics such as algebra where letters are used to represent variables. A symbol that is already commonly used in mathematical notation should not be borrowed for an additional numeral. The numerical characters and other symbols used in mathematics must be expected to appear alongside each other, and for that reason need to be distinct to prevent them being confounded. Outside of mathematics, letters and numerals typically are used together in simple identification codes or labels. When the characters are hand-written, they should still be safely distinguishable from each other.
2. It should resemble the characters for other numerical symbols in form so that it can be recognised as belonging to the set of such characters representing numbers. The Indo-Arabic numerals tend to be more rounded or curved and lack straight lines of full height compared to letters of the Roman alphabet. Of the numerals 0123456789, only the digits 1 and 4 have a full straight vertical line from top to bottom. In other forms of the digit 4, there is not even a full vertical line from top to bottom. The lines of a character designed for a numeral should be capable of being easily read and not cluttered while having a height to width ratio of about two to one so that it can be aligned with the other digits in monospaced numerical strings.
3. It should be capable of being represented in seven-segment modular displays. The character has to be capable of being used in the displays of the simplest pocket calculators, which use the seven-segment type of display, because if the character were not to be so designed it would not be possible to use these calculators in the chosen base. Apart from pocket calculators, the seven-segment type of display is used in other contexts of important notices such as traffic signs. Because of their simplicity and readability, these types of display are very frequently used for messages of the greatest importance or significance.
Because of the seriousness of the applications to which the numerical characters are put, the design of numerals is not a game to be toyed with. For a system of numerical representation for the base, the characters devised should not be left to whim or fancy, to unjustified individual preference, or artistic expressionism. It should not be left to the consensus of impractical hobbyists who have stated no intention of applying the numerical base to real life requirements such as speed limits on the motorway, or the digital meter readings of measuring instruments, like a kitchen thermometer, luggage weighing scales, common alarm clocks, or a nuclear radiation detector, and too many other practical devices to mention.
Probably the single most important condition that the numeral must have is the satisfaction of this thirdly enumerated or listed ability for being representable in seven-segment displays. The second listed condition of resembling in form other digits can easily be implemented by adjusting the seven-segment form to the curvature of hand writing.
Any character proposed for a numeral that fails to agree with the third condition above of being capable of being represented in a seven-segment modular display must be rejected. There can be no mercy for exceptions here.
Any character as a symbol for another numeral that fails to satisfy the first listed condition above of being distinct from commonly used symbols such as common letters or mathematical notation must be rejected. Either that, or such symbols must be rejected in the meaning of their earlier and ordinary mathematical use.
Nevertheless, there is a benefit in a proposed character resembling somewhat, yet being distinct from, a readily available character if this allows such a character to be used as a fallback where a new character is unavailable.
Sat Feb 17, 2024 3:18 pm by Phaethon
» Information per Area of Numerical Forms
Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:50 am by Phaethon
» Denominational Dozenal Numerals
Sun Jan 28, 2024 9:25 pm by Phaethon
» Proto-Indo-European Numbers
Fri Jan 12, 2024 4:25 pm by Phaethon
» Radix Economy for Alternating Bases
Sun Dec 24, 2023 5:41 pm by Phaethon
» Graduation Subdivisions
Sat Dec 02, 2023 12:58 pm by Phaethon
» Pendulum System
Sat Oct 07, 2023 9:22 pm by Phaethon
» Colour Classification
Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:16 pm by Phaethon
» Unit Power Prefixes
Thu Oct 05, 2023 5:29 pm by Phaethon