Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Mathematics

Mayan Numeral Converter Quiz: Practice the Base-20 Number System

Quick, free quiz to test conversions. Instant results like a Mayan numerals converter.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ricardo MirandaUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style Mayan numerals and symbols on dark blue background inviting free ancient number conversion quiz

This quiz helps you practice Mayan numeral conversion, reading dots, bars, and shells, and converting to and from decimal. Build speed, spot mistakes, and see how base-20 place values work with instant feedback. If you enjoy number systems, try our binary to decimal practice, explore scientific notation practice, or refresh skills with a quick decimal quiz.

What symbol represents zero in the Mayan numeral system?
A small spiral
A stylized shell glyph
A single dot
A horizontal bar
The ancient Maya used a stylized shell shape as their symbol for zero, one of the earliest known uses of zero in a numeral system. Dots and bars were reserved for counting ones and fives, respectively. This shell glyph clearly distinguished the concept of zero from other values. Learn more about Mayan zero at .
How many dots are needed to represent the number three in the Mayan system?
Four dots
Two dots
One dot
Three dots
In Mayan numerals, each dot equals one unit. Therefore, the number three is depicted by three dots placed in a single horizontal row. Bars and shells are not used for values below one or above four. See the notation details at .
What is the value of a single horizontal bar in Mayan numerals?
Two
Twenty
Ten
Five
A horizontal bar in the Mayan numeral system always represents the value five. Up to three bars can be stacked to represent multiples of five up to fifteen in one place. Dots represent single units from one to four. More on bar-and-dot notation at .
What decimal number is represented by two bars and three dots in a single Mayan place value?
12
15
13
10
Each bar equals five and each dot equals one. Two bars give 2×5=10 and three dots add 3, totaling 13 in that positional level. The Maya combined bars and dots for values from zero to nineteen per place. For more examples, see .
How is the number nineteen depicted in one level of the Mayan numeral system?
Two bars and nine dots
One bar and fourteen dots
Four bars and one dot
Three bars and four dots
Since one level can only display up to nineteen, the Maya used three bars (3×5=15) plus four dots (4×1=4) to total 19. Dots never exceed four in a single group and bars max at three. This standardized system simplifies higher-place calculations. Further reading at .
A single Mayan digit shows one bar above three dots. What decimal value does it represent?
8
7
3
12
In Mayan notation the bar is worth 5 and each dot is worth 1. One bar gives 5 and three dots add 3, summing to 8. Position within larger numerals matters, but here it's a single-place value. See .
What decimal number corresponds to a two-level Mayan numeral with one dot in the 20s place and three bars in the 1s place?
35
40
25
31
The top level with one dot is in the 20s place, giving 1×20=20. The bottom level has three bars, each 5 units, totaling 15. Summing 20+15 yields 35. Multi-level place values escalate by factors of 20. More details at .
Convert the following three-level Mayan numeral to decimal: two dots in the 360s place, one bar in the 20s place, and four dots in the 1s place.
704
824
744
8240
Place values are 360, 20, and 1. Two dots in the top place yield 2×360=720. One bar in the middle gives 1×5×20=100. Four dots at the bottom add 4. Total is 720+100+4=824. Explore multi-level arithmetic at .
A three-level Mayan numeral shows a shell at 360s, two dots at 20s, and one bar plus one dot at 1s. What is its decimal value?
51
41
45
46
A shell in the 360s place equals 0×360=0. Two dots in the 20s place give 2×20=40. One bar plus one dot in the 1s place yields 5+1=6. Summing 0+40+6 gives 46. See the place-value chart at .
0
{"name":"What symbol represents zero in the Mayan numeral system?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What symbol represents zero in the Mayan numeral system?, How many dots are needed to represent the number three in the Mayan system?, What is the value of a single horizontal bar in Mayan numerals?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Convert Symbols to Numbers -

    Apply mayan numeral conversion rules to translate dot and bar symbols into their equivalent decimal values with accuracy.

  2. Translate Numbers to Mayan Notation -

    Construct ancient Mayan numbers by converting modern decimal values into appropriate dots, bars, and shell symbols.

  3. Recognize Place-Value Structure -

    Understand the Mayan numeral system's unique place-value hierarchy and how it differs from the Arabic numeral approach.

  4. Analyze Quiz Performance -

    Evaluate your results in the Mayan number quiz to pinpoint strengths and target areas for additional mayan numerals practice.

  5. Apply Timed Conversion Skills -

    Enhance speed and accuracy in mayan numeral conversion under quiz conditions to build confidence and proficiency.

  6. Reinforce Learning with Flashcards -

    Utilize mayan numbers flashcards and interactive drills to solidify recall and deepen your understanding of ancient Mayan numbers.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Symbols and Their Values -

    The Mayan numeral system uses three core symbols - dot (1), bar (5), and shell (0). For example, two bars and three dots equal 13 (2×5+3), making mayan numeral conversion intuitive once you memorize these basics.

  2. Vigesimal Positional Notation -

    Numbers are arranged vertically in a base-20 system with place values of 1, 20, 360 (20×18), and 7,200, aligning with the Maya's calendar structure. A symbol set showing one dot in the 360-place and two bars in the 20-place converts by 1×360 + 2×20 = 400.

  3. Step-by-Step Conversion Method -

    To convert from Mayan numerals to decimals, multiply each level's total symbol value by its positional weight and sum the results. In a free Mayan numeral conversion quiz, you might see three dots at the top (3×360), one bar in the middle (1×20), and two dots at the bottom (2×1), totaling 3×360+1×20+2=1,102.

  4. Zero as a Mathematical Breakthrough -

    The Maya pioneered zero notation, using the shell glyph for 'none' and enabling precise arithmetic and astronomical records. Remember "shell saves the whole" - a catchy mnemonic to recall the unique Mayan numeral system's zero feature.

  5. Practice with Flashcards and Quizzes -

    Reinforce your skills with Mayan numbers flashcards or a Mayan numeral conversion quiz from reputable sources like the University of Texas Mesoamerica Collection. Consistent practice boosts speed and confidence - challenge yourself to convert twenty random numerals in two minutes!

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Basic Math & Arithmetic Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker