Numbers, measurements and units: Difference between revisions
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• use numerals | • use numerals | ||
o whenever a number is followed by a unit symbol | * o whenever a number is followed by a unit symbol | ||
(for example kg, m) | (for example kg, m) | ||
o for references to illustrations | * o for references to illustrations | ||
o for dates, page numbers, percentages and expressions of | * o for dates, page numbers, percentages and expressions of | ||
time | time | ||
o where several numbers are used in succession, some less | * o where several numbers are used in succession, some less | ||
and some more than ten, use numerals throughout | and some more than ten, use numerals throughout | ||
o use decimals and never fractions | * o use decimals and never fractions | ||
• use words | • use words | ||
o for numbers from one to ten; numerals for larger numbers | * o for numbers from one to ten; numerals for larger numbers | ||
o in whole numbers containing several zeros, either substitute | * o in whole numbers containing several zeros, either substitute | ||
a word for part of the number | a word for part of the number | ||
(e.g. 16 million instead of 16 000 000) | (e.g. 16 million instead of 16 000 000) | ||
o do not begin a sentence with a numeral | * o do not begin a sentence with a numeral | ||
• spaces and markers | • spaces and markers | ||
o use a full point for the decimal marker e.g. 16.6 kg | * o use a full point for the decimal marker e.g. 16.6 kg | ||
o numbers with up to four digits or fewer on either side of the | * o numbers with up to four digits or fewer on either side of the | ||
decimal marker are set without spaces or commas: 616, | decimal marker are set without spaces or commas: 616, | ||
1684, 0.8333 | 1684, 0.8333 | ||
o numbers with more than four digits are divided by a fixed | * o numbers with more than four digits are divided by a fixed | ||
space, not a comma, every three digits from the decimal | space, not a comma, every three digits from the decimal | ||
marker: 25 000, 1 584 000, 0.616 42 | marker: 25 000, 1 584 000, 0.616 42 | ||
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• units | • units | ||
o millions: use m and decimals: 1 m, 1.5 m, 20 m | * o millions: use m and decimals: 1 m, 1.5 m, 20 m | ||
o billions: use bn and decimals: 1 bn, 1.5 bn, 20 bn | * o billions: use bn and decimals: 1 bn, 1.5 bn, 20 bn | ||
o per cent should be spelt out, not % | * o per cent should be spelt out, not % | ||
[[category:writers' guide]] | [[category:writers' guide]] | ||
Revision as of 16:34, 18 September 2013
See Notes for Authors p. 22 for detailed guidance.
Brief guidelines as below:
• use numerals
- o whenever a number is followed by a unit symbol
(for example kg, m)
- o for references to illustrations
- o for dates, page numbers, percentages and expressions of
time
- o where several numbers are used in succession, some less
and some more than ten, use numerals throughout
- o use decimals and never fractions
• use words
- o for numbers from one to ten; numerals for larger numbers
- o in whole numbers containing several zeros, either substitute
a word for part of the number (e.g. 16 million instead of 16 000 000)
- o do not begin a sentence with a numeral
• spaces and markers
- o use a full point for the decimal marker e.g. 16.6 kg
- o numbers with up to four digits or fewer on either side of the
decimal marker are set without spaces or commas: 616, 1684, 0.8333
- o numbers with more than four digits are divided by a fixed
space, not a comma, every three digits from the decimal marker: 25 000, 1 584 000, 0.616 42
• units
- o millions: use m and decimals: 1 m, 1.5 m, 20 m
- o billions: use bn and decimals: 1 bn, 1.5 bn, 20 bn
- o per cent should be spelt out, not %