The numbering systems are a set of numbers that are combined to obtain a result, on the basis of a certain code. Among these are the sexagesimal system, the Roman, Mayan and Arabic. The first, developed by peoples Babylonians, is based on 60 units, being associated with the time system, in which time is 60 minutes and the minutes, 60 seconds. The Romans created a system symbolized by the Roman letters I, V, X, L, C, D and M, representing the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000, respectively. In the Maya system is taken as basis fingers and toes, so conformed twenty different signs. A straight line representing the number 5, two straight lines, 10 and three, 15. The system was universally adopted Arabic, decimal and positional in nature, because it uses 10 characters, and the position of each defined the figure. The ten symbols are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Each number is expressed in powers of 10.
In ancient times, men used groups of stones, made different brand or used the fingers of his hands to count. Then they started to make use of signs, as did the Chinese and Japanese.