NUMBER EXPRESSION FACTS

Fact 15: Numbers one to ten should be expressed as words

Example: Did you see the eight elephants at the zoo? I saw seven of the giant squid at the beach.

Fact 25: Express numbers that are in the same sentence but unrelated according to prior rules.

Example: Fifty of the stock boys saw the 13 cars crash in front of the store. The new exhibit housed 32 eels from 6 different aquariums.

Fact 18: Numbers that begin a sentence should be spelled out

Example: Five of my closest friends made it to the surprise birthday party. Sixteen of the buses went to the transit station with no passengers.

Fact 17: House numbers should be expressed as figures, except for house number one.

Example: I live at 37 Spring Street while he lives at One Spring Street. Deliver the package to 54 Madison, not to One Madison.

Fact 16: Numbers greater than ten should be expressed as figures.

Example: I should have 24 hotdogs cooking on the grill. Do you have 12 oatmeal raisin cookies?

Fact 19: Street numbers less than (and including) ten should be spelled out; above ten should use figures.

Example: I will be moving from Fifth Street to 56th Avenue. Bailey Avenue connects Second Street to 89th Street.

Fact 21: Use figures to express weights and measurements.

Example: One sheet of standard paper 8 1/2 x 11 inches. Karen was 32 inches tall and weighed 24 lbs. and 5 ounces.

Fact 23: Use words for the shorter of two numbers used together.

Example: Our store will stock eleven 100-quart tubs and 250 twelve-gallon flats. If you want to help, register the 30 five-member basketball teams.

Fact 24: Groups of similarly used numbers are related; express all numbers according to the way the largest number is expressed.

Example: Research shows 23 out of every 100 people floss their teeth. I ordered 5 loaves of bread, 12 water bottles, and 76 bags of chips.

Fact 20: Sums of money (excluding one dollar) should be expressed as figures.

Example: You owe me $560.97 for your portion of the vacation expenses. Please pay the mail carrier $8.20.

Fact 22: Use figures for numbers that follow nouns.

Example: Your class will be held on floor 8 of the Wentworth Tower. If you want to get ahead in the class, read Chapter 56.