number puzzle

[jayne b-t]

Why do we call our numerals 'Arabic' when they don't look anything like Arabian numbers?

[vittoria]

well, we borrowed the zero from the Arabs, which allowed us to write numbers like 20, 30 etc. The Romans did not have zero so 20 had to be written as XX (ten ten) etc., which makes it cumbersome.

[SMILL48]

There is an article on Answerbank answering your question - just click article 3107

[incitatus]

And they do look like them, but in an impressionistic you-have-to-squint-at-them sort of way! Both sets have evolved from a common ancestor. Think shetland ponies and zebras.

[artisan]

Well does i, ii, iii, iv look Roman?