{"id":10901,"date":"2015-08-07T13:57:01","date_gmt":"2015-08-07T11:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/?p=10901"},"modified":"2023-07-23T15:29:22","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T13:29:22","slug":"numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/academic-writing\/numbers\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing numbers: words and numerals"},"content":{"rendered":"
Numbers can be written either as words (e.g., one hundred) or numerals (e.g., 100). In this article we follow the guidelines of APA Style<\/a>, one of the most common style guides used in academic writing<\/a>.<\/p>\n In general, words should be used for numbers from zero through nine, and numerals should be used from 10 onwards.\u00a0This is true for both cardinal numbers (e.g., two, 11) and ordinal numbers (e.g., second, 11th<\/sup>). However, there are some important exceptions to this rule.<\/p>\n Note that other style guides, such as Chicago Style,<\/a>\u00a0address numbers differently (for example, in Chicago, you use words for numbers up to 100). Regardless of what style guide you follow, the most important thing is to be consistent in how you treat numbers throughout your document.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Use numerals for numbers from zero to nine that are followed by a precise unit of measurement.<\/p>\n The samples measured 7<\/u><\/strong> cm in diameter. (\u201ccm\u201d is a unit of measurement)<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n But: <\/em>These three<\/u><\/strong> samples were subjected to further testing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Use words for any number that is used to start a sentence, with the exception of years.<\/p>\n Seventy-two thousand<\/u><\/strong> ink cartridges are sold every day.<\/p>\n Nineteenth-century<\/u><\/strong> novels often feature complicated plot lines.<\/p>\n But:<\/em> 2008<\/u><\/strong> saw record olive crops throughout the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Use words for common fractions and set expressions.<\/p>\n According to the survey, two thirds<\/u><\/strong> of the employees are dissatisfied.<\/p>\n Understanding the Five Pillars of Islam<\/u><\/strong> is a critical first step.<\/p>\n The Fourth of July<\/u><\/strong> is traditionally marked by a firework display.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n With percentages, the standard is to use numerals and \u201c%\u201d (not \u201cpercent\u201d).<\/p>\n According to the report, 45%<\/u><\/strong> of the workforce is employed in the service sector. Only 6%<\/u><\/strong> currently work in agriculture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The main exception is if you are using a percentage to begin a sentence. In this case, use words to express the entire percentage.<\/p>\n Thirteen percent<\/u><\/strong> of the patients reported that their symptoms improved after taking the experimental drug.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If your paper includes quantitative research, you probably have data to report. Statistics, mathematical functions, ratios, and percentages are all written using numerals. This is true regardless of whether they are included within a table or as part of the actual text. Keep the following guidelines in mind:<\/p>\n The average IQ of the participants was relatively high (M<\/em> = 137.33, SD <\/em>= 4.54).<\/p>\n The results of the second test were statistically significant, t<\/em>(12) = 4.11, p<\/em> < .05.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are further detailed guidelines about reporting statistics in APA<\/a>.<\/p>\n If a number comes immediately before a unit of measurement, use numerals.<\/p>\n Each patient received\u00a05 mg<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0of the experimental drug.<\/p>\n The tallest participant was 2.03 m<\/u><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Also use numerals for precise ages, times, dates, scores, points on a scale, and amounts of money.<\/p>\n The final score of Ghana 2, Brazil 1<\/u><\/strong> did not represent a decisive victory.<\/p>\n Children under 8 years<\/u><\/strong> receive a $50<\/u><\/strong> discount.<\/p>\n But:<\/em> Most girls start reading when they are about five years<\/u><\/strong> old. (\u201cabout\u201d makes the number imprecise)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Longer numbers follow specific rules:<\/p>\n The region has an average of 43.75<\/u><\/strong> doctors for every 10,000<\/u><\/strong> people.<\/p>\n Some predict that the number of users will reach 2 billion<\/u><\/strong> by 2020.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n One of the main reasons why writing numbers is complicated is that consistently applying the rules may lead to a text that actually seems very in<\/em>consistent. Consider the following paragraphs:<\/p>\n At about the age of seven<\/u><\/strong>, the girl\u2019s height was 1.47 <\/u><\/strong>m. This placed her in the fifth<\/u><\/strong> percentile, although her weight placed her in the top 7%<\/u><\/strong> of her class. By the time she was 9<\/u><\/strong> years old, she was taller than half<\/u><\/strong> of the boys in her year. Five<\/u><\/strong> years later, she was still ranked 15th<\/sup><\/u><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Thirteen thousand<\/u><\/strong> viewers watched the performance of Shakespeare\u2019s Twelfth<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Night<\/em> from the park, while another 2,000<\/u><\/strong> watched from the surrounding buildings and 1.2 million <\/u><\/strong>watched it on television. As one<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0out of every 11<\/u><\/strong> residents saw at least part of the play, this one<\/u><\/strong> event can definitely be considered a success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n These texts may look awkward because so many different number formats have been used, but don\u2019t be deceived \u2013 the above guidelines have all been followed.<\/p>\n If you are not required to strictly follow a particular style (such as APA format<\/a>), you may have some flexibility to modify the guidelines presented in this article. Just be sure to apply any modifications you make throughout your entire document.<\/p>\n If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!<\/p>\n <\/em>Fallacies<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/em>\u00a0AI<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/em>\u00a0(AI) Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n Numbers can be written either as words (e.g., one hundred) or numerals (e.g., 100). In this article we follow the guidelines of APA Style, one of the most common style guides used in academic writing. In general, words should be used for numbers from zero through nine, and numerals should be used from 10 onwards.\u00a0This […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"categories":[87],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"Exceptions<\/h2>\n
Examples:<\/h6>\n
Examples:<\/h6>\n
Examples:<\/h6>\n
Writing percentages<\/h2>\n
Example:<\/h6>\n
Example:<\/h6>\n
Reporting statistical results that include numbers<\/h2>\n
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Examples:<\/h6>\n
Writing numbers that are accompanied by measurements<\/h2>\n
Examples:<\/h6>\n
Examples:<\/h6>\n
Writing long numbers<\/h2>\n
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\nExamples:<\/h6>\n
Consistency may not be obvious<\/h2>\n
Examples:<\/h6>\n
Other interesting articles<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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