T'vaqi numerals

The T'vaqi numerals are the most commonly used method of depicting numbers in T'vaqi. Derived from tally marks and other counting systems utilized by the Factions of T'vaqi, a form of the numeral system has seen widespread use since the end of the island's First Unification in 1900 TT. During the Second Unification of T'vaqi, the Unilateral Unit System was built to accommodate the numerals.

Form

The basis for all T'vaqi numerals is a horizontal line. A horizontal line with no glyphs above or below represents the number 0. The space above the line represents the value of the tens place, while the space below it represents the value of the ones place (for example, the number 12 would be represented by the glyph for "1" above the line, and the glyph for "2" below it). The line can be extended to allow for more glyphs to be placed; the rightmost glyphs represent the tens and ones, the glyphs to the immediate left represent the thousands and hundreds, and so on. Numbers are written and read in base 10 from left to right; the base 10 counting system naturally developed as a result of the T'vaqi using their fingers to count. Decimals are denoted by an apostrophe separating two lines of numerals. Negative numbers are indicated by a vertical line marked at the end of the numeral.

Numerals may be displayed or written in various ways. Numerals written in shorthand often forgo the horizontal divider separating individual glyphs. The stylized writing of numerals is an art practiced by many in T'vaqi. The stylistic depiction of certain significant numbers is the most popular form of calligraphy on the island.

In the early 200s TT, a ten-segment design was created that can display numerals 0 to 99. The design, both simple and energy-efficient, became standardized and widely accepted as the official segmented representation of the T'vaqi numeral system.