NUMBERS

The general rule on The News is that all numbers above nine shall be written in figures, and that all numbers below 10 shall be spelled out. There are, of course, many exceptions to this rule. Figures are always used for degrees of latitude and longitude, degrees of temperature, per cent, prices, racing time, scores, definite sums of money, time, votes, dates (as Sept. 27), ages, street numbers and tabulated statistics.

Spell out indefinite figures, as about a dollar's worth.

Use Roman numerals in writing of kings, as George V, and then without a period. Do not use Roman numerals in designating centuries. Write it fourteenth century, not XIVth century.

Write Monday at 8 a. m., not at 8 o'clock on Monday morning.

Spell out such expressions as the early seventies.

Use figures in dimensions when written thus: a lot 4×6 feet.

All ages shall be written thus: John Smith, 8 years old. Do not write it: John Smith, aged 8, or aged eight. It will be easy to remember the rule if you observe that in writing it thus: John Smith, aged 18, 48 Jones street, you are opening an opportunity for an error easily made. It may appear: John Smith, aged 184, 8 Jones street.

All ordinals are spelled out. Write it thirtieth, not 30th. Write a date: Feb. 6, not February 6th, or February sixth.

Do not use both numerals and figures spelled out in one phrase. Write it: Eight feet eleven inches. If in a phrase a number over 10 precedes a number under 10, express both in figures, thus 18 hours 4 minutes. If vice versa, express it thus: two hours eighteen minutes.