Figure It Out: Adding Egyptian Numerals

Question 1

Add the following Egyptian numerals:

(i)

• Number A: 1 Lotus, 3 Coils, 6 Heels, 5 Strokes ($1365$)
• Number B: 2 Coils, 3 Heels, 4 Strokes ($234$)
• Sum: 1 Lotus, 5 Coils, 9 Heels, 9 Strokes.
• Result: 1599.

(ii)

• Number A: 2 Coils, 6 Heels ($260$)
• Number B: 1 Coil, 5 Heels ($150$)
• Total: 3 Coils, 11 Heels.
• Regrouping: 10 Heels = 1 Coil.
• Result: 4 Coils, 1 Heel ($410$).

Question 2

Add Base-5 Numerals: $\bigcirc\bigcirc\bigcirc \square\triangle\triangle + \bigcirc\bigcirc\bigcirc\bigcirc \square\triangle\triangle$

• Triangles (1s): 2 + 2 = 4 ($\triangle\triangle\triangle\triangle$)
• Squares (5s): 1 + 1 = 2 ($\square\square$)
• Circles (125s): 3 + 4 = 7.
  • Regrouping: 5 Circles = 1 Wiggle (625).
  • Remainder: 2 Circles.
• Answer: $\sim \bigcirc\bigcirc \square\square \triangle\triangle\triangle\triangle$