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Icelandic mathematics, or "þjóðmál" in Old Norse, is a unique system of number notation and arithmetic that emerged in Iceland during the Middle Ages. It uses a combination of letters and symbols to represent numbers, with each letter corresponding to a specific digit. For example, "þ" (thorn) represents 10, "æ" (a with a hook) represents 5, and "þr" (thorn with a hook) represents 15. The system also includes symbols for fractions, such as "þr" (thorn over) for 1/2 and "þr" (thorn with a cross) for 1/3. Addition and subtraction are performed using simple symbols like "þ" (for 1) and "Þ" (for 10), while multiplication and division are indicated by the letters themselves, with "þ" for 1 and "þr" for 10. This system, though complex, allowed for sophisticated calculations and was integral to Icelandic scholarship and trade before the advent of modern arithmetic notation.
iceland math