International System of Numeration

The world’s population, distances between planets, and large financial numbers are often written using the International System.

Learning this system helps you understand and write large numbers the way they are used globally in science, banking, and communication!

The International System: Key Points

• Digits Used: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
• Base-10 (Decimal) System: Value increases 10 times as you move left.
• Grouping: Large numbers are grouped into periods such as billions, millions, thousands, and ones.
• Place Value: The position of each digit determines whether it represents ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, millions, or billions.

In this system, the groups are made with periods, as shown below:

Reading and Writing Large Numbers in the International System:

1. 7456123 = 7,456,123
                  = Seven million four hundred fifty-six thousand one hundred twenty-three.
2. 61786425 = 61,786,425
                     = Sixty-one million seven hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred twenty-five.
3. 61786425 = 61,786,425
                    = Sixty-one million seven hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred twenty-five.
4. 82854137 = 82,854,137
                    = Eighty-two million eight hundred fifty-four thousand one hundred thirty-seven.
5. 743813256 = 743,813,256
                      = Seven hundred forty-three million eight hundred thirteen thousand two hundred fifty-six. 

• Bank cheques, population figures, and scientific data in the news are presented in the international format, especially outside India.

• Computer files, websites, and business reports commonly use international grouping and naming.

1. Commas: Always insert commas every three digits from the right in figures.

2. Reading: Never use “and” or plurals like “millions”; instead, say “one million,” “two thousand.”

3. Comparison: Unlike the Indian System, comma and period names differ beyond the thousands place.

4. Zeros: Never place zeros at the start of a number (e.g., 007,456,123).