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Expressing
Numbers
Just
as some grammar rules have changed, so too are numbers
in for an overhaul. Several biztip readers have pointed
out that many of the blue population
signs
on major highways are missing the commas that designate thousands.
This is the international way of expressing numbers. When
numbers run to five or more figures, spaces (not commas)
are left between groups of numbers.
Example (on a blue highway) sign
Population
44 000
When numbers run to only four figures, the space is unnecessary
unless these numbers occur together with larger numbers that
require spaces.
Example
We were pleased to hear that 5430 people participated in
the marathon.
We were
pleased to note that of the 10 500 people who attended
the concert over 5 000 purchased our tee shirts.
When expressing money amounts using the international style,
a comma replaces a decimal point.
Example
$12 671,17 (international style) $12,671.17 (standard style)
In Quebec,
the French-language media has already adopted the international
style. The media in the rest of Canada
is not using it yet. It is, however, coming into the country
slowly. It is being taught in many of Canada's elementary
schools.
Don’t shoot
the messenger!
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