atw: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Hi Howard


This one (1) little thing (out of many) has often bothered me and I too
have wondered why.


Your email prompted me to dig a little deeper...starting with our contracts
unit, since they seem to be the originators of this style. It seems to be
more common in legal documents and others just follow suit, I suspect.
One of the guys in the contracts unit told me that it's to make absolutely
sure that a number is not misunderstood (although if you see  "three (2)",
you are none the wiser are you?).


Anyway, this link sheds a bit of light on the origins.


http://ask.metafilter.com/6543/


Louise





                                                                           
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Subject: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
From: Howard.Silcock@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:16:30 +1100

Most usage guides have rules about when to write out numbers as words
(one, two, three, ...) and when to use numerals (1, 2, 3, ...). However,
from time to time I come across passages written like this (from a
document I've just been reading):
        This solution has been designed to support up to five (5) users,
and three (3) of these systems are being procured.

I've seen this often enough to think there must be some rationale for
doing it this way, but I can't imagine what it is. It looks almost as if
the writer wonders whether readers mightn't understand the 'written-out'
forms.

Anyone know the source of this style of writing? Is there a good reason
for it that I'm missing?

Howard


Howard Silcock
Technical Writer
Zare Pty Ltd
Ph  02 6261 2073
Fax 02 6112 2073









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