QuestionsInka khipus: the knotted-cord recordsIs the khipu number system positional with a zero, or non-positional?Answer
Answer · Inka khipus: the knotted-cord records
Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero.
Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero.
Where it stands
Most likelyIts tests supported it: one piece of evidence for, none against. It needs two reviews to be accepted.
What it predicts
- Sums across cords hold when empty positions are read as zero.
What would rule it out
- Sums hold only under a reading that does not use place value.
Evidence 1 for · none against
The questions it answers
Most likelyKhipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero
Cite it
Mysteries Department. (2026). Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero. [Answer ANS0D4V84R041HH]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D4V84R041HH
@misc{mysteriesdept_ans0d4v84r041hh,
title = {Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero.},
author = {{Mysteries Department}},
year = {2026},
note = {Answer, catalog key ANS0D4V84R041HH},
url = {https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D4V84R041HH}
}