- cross-posted to:
- science_memes@mander.xyz
- cross-posted to:
- science_memes@mander.xyz
The only numbers I will ever spell are one and zero, and only when using them as a pronoun, or for emphasis, respectively.
Is there ever a reason to not to use symbols when dealing with numbers? Why would “fourteen whatevers” ever be preferable to “14 whatevers”. It’s just so much easier to read numbers as symbols, not spelled out.
(Caveat, not including multipliers, like “273 billion”).
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Me writing zero point zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero eight five six two one three four nine two to improve the readability of the document by writing numbers less then ten as words.
(Caveat, not including multipliers, like “273 billion”).
Billion is ambiguous, better use powers of 10, e.g. 273e9 or 273e12, depending on which one you mean
Or use SI units.
Even better haha, this is also my preference, but I think most audiences wouldn’t like that, I assume.
Edit: 239,000,000,000 is obviously an option. But I rarely see that in a newspaper.
The real style guide is always your reader. If specific numbers may be searched for or copied, it is kinder to use symbols. If your reader is merely reading a number in conversation, it would usually be better to follow the usual style guide.
The more you know and care for your reader, the better your writing will be.
19 80 four?
I love the fact this proves the point, that even for emphasis (which I think the title of 1984 is fine to use), it’s LESS clear to spell it out.
I am very thankful my company lets me write numbers and not spell it out.
