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Lesson 2 of 14

Two ways to group the same digits

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6 min

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A note says 1,23,45,678 bricks. A bill says 12,345,678. Same number of bricks, written two ways.

The digits: 12345678.
Step 1 of 4
  1. The digits: 12345678.
  2. Indian way: 1,23,45,678.
  3. International way: 12,345,678.
  4. Same 8 digits. Same amount.

The rule

A group is a set of digits kept together by commas. In the Indian grouping, the first comma comes after three digits. Count from the right. Every comma after that is two digits further left. In the international grouping, every comma is three digits further left. This is true for every comma.

One number, two comma patterns
DigitsIndian groupingInternational grouping
8640086,40086,400
1000001,00,000100,000
123456781,23,45,67812,345,678

Both put the first comma after 3 digits, counting from the right. The second comma comes after 5 digits in the Indian way. It comes after 6 digits in the international way. So up to five digits, both patterns agree. From six digits up, they differ.

Tap the right commas in the lab. One digit string, cut two ways.

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Try the lab to finish this lesson.