PART 1

NUMBERS AND DATES

1.1 LARGE NUMBERS AND DATES
PRESENTATION
a. Large numbers
Look at the table:

100 a hundred
1,000 A thousand
10,000 ten thousand
100,000 a hundred thousand
1,000,000 a million
1,000,000,000 A billion

If a large number includes a number from 1 to 99 we use and:

256 two hundred and fifty–six
51, 324 fifty – one thousand, three hundred and twenty – four
256, 324 two hundred and fifty– six thousand, three hundred and twenty -four

When we write large numbers, we put commas before every set of three numbers:
21,275
1,251,372

b. Numbers of words
When we use a number that is a real amount or quantity (for example, the price of
something), we usually say the full number:
The population of Christchurt is one hundred and seventy thousand (170,000).
The latest Range Rover cost ninety thousand euros (€90,000)
When we use a number that is a code or reference (for example, a telephone number), we
usually say the individual figures:
The product code is TR563844. (T-R-five-six-three-eight-four-four)
You can phone me on 081 6243 (oh-eight-one-six-two-three-four)
 c. Dates
We write and say dates in two ways:
We write: 10 September 2005 0r 10/09/05
We say: the tenth of September, 2005 or September the tenth, 2005

When we talk about a year we usually divide it ito two parts:

1975: I was born in nineteen seventy-five
2030: I will retire in twenty thirty

1.2 DECIMAL AND FRACTIONS

PRESENTATION

a) Decimal

For decimals, we use point (.). We do not use a coma (,). After the decimal point, we say the
individual figures:

He finishe the race in 24.30 seconds. (twenty four point thirty)

The standar rate of VAT is 17.5 %. (seventeen point five per cent)

If we are talking about money we say the name of the currency and not the word point. After
the decimal point we use the whole number (of cents, pence, etc.):

$3.50 three dollar fifty or three dollar and fifity cents.

€ 5.99 five euros ninety –nine or five euros and ninety –nine cents.

b) Fractions and Percentages

Look at the way we say fractions and percentages:

1/4 a quater

1/3 a third

1/2 half

2/3 two – thirds

3/4 three – quarters

25 % twenty-five per cent

 33.33% thirty – three point three three per cent

50% fifty per cent

66.66% sisty-six point six six per cent

75% seventy – five per cent

c) Dimensions

Look at the way we ask and answer questions about dimensions:

How long is it? It’s 39 cm long.

How wide is it? It’s 31 cm wide.

How high is it? It’s 16 cm high.

How much does it weight? It weight 8.5 kg.

EXERCISE!

1. Large Numbers.
Write the numbers in words.
243,955 : Two uhndred and forty-three thousand, nine hundred nd fifty-five.

6,439: Six thousand, four hundred and thirty nine

9,082,375: Nine million eighty-two thousand, three hundred seventy-five
3,609,438: Three million six hundred nine thousand, four hundred and thirty-eight
500,000: Five hundred thousand
18,500,050: Eighteen million five hundred thousand fifty

2. Dates
Write the dates in words.
1 May 1844 : The first May, eighteen forty-four.

20 July 1969: The twentieth July, nineteen sixty-nine

16 December 2004: The sixteenth December, two thousand and four
25 January 1924: The twenty fifth January, nineteen twenty four
5 May 19 12 : The fifth May, nineteen twelve

3. Estimate the answers to these questions. Write the numbers in (a) and the
number in words in (b).
1. How much did your car cost?
a........... b..................
2. How much do your college fee?
a............ b...................
3. How much money do spend every month?
a............. b....................

The Answer:

1. a. 220.000.000
b. Two hundred twenty million
2. a. 3.500.000
b. Three million five hundred thousand
3. a. 4.500.000
b. Four million five hundred thousand