1

I know the rule of thumb is to write out numbers 1–10 in words but what if the number has a decimal (i.e 3.4 million)? And if I write it as 3.4 million don’t I have to write the other numbers, for consistency, as 1 million, 2 million and so on?

Improve this question
3
  • Use scientific notation: 3.4x10^6.
    – user68958
    Commented Sep 22, 2018 at 9:24
  • Are you using LaTeX? Use siunitx package, you can specify all the formatting details consistently.
    – Oleg Lobachev
    Commented Sep 22, 2018 at 9:53
  • No I’m actually editing the thesis for another student but it’s the first time I’ve come across a thesis that uses large numbers
    – Dahlia
    Commented Sep 23, 2018 at 6:29

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

If it's a measurement, or another number where precision is key, I'd prefer just numbers, possibly using powers of ten, or standard prefixes - e.g. a resistance of 3.4MΩ. Otherwise, I don't think there are any solid rules on this. Some do indeed suggest consistently writing numbers like "1 million", whereas others say "one million" for the round numbers.

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about achieving consistency throughout an entire thesis. Focus instead on making the text flow well from one instant to the next. Maybe using words in the introduction, and numerals in later chapters would fit your thesis best? The style should be certainly be consistent within a sentence, and possibly a paragraph, to avoid confusion. However, unless you have to follow a really strict style guide no one really cares beyond that.

Improve this answer
1
  • It’s with reference to currency and populations
    – Dahlia
    Commented Sep 23, 2018 at 6:27

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .