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Mathematics The Maya numerical system was vigesimal. This means that it was based on the number twenty. Numbers 1 to 4 were represented by a point and multiples of 5 by a line. A type of shell was used for zero. The position of numbers was used as a way of knowing the value of multiples of twenty, four hundred, etc. Numbers were also represented using the head or body of Gods. Considering their calendar entries, it would be wrong to think that the numerical system was always based on twenty. In fact, the truth is quite the opposite. Like us, the Maya had several numerical bases, for example, 1. To count objects we use pairs, units of ten and dozens, etc. 2. The metric system of measurement is always based on ten, while in the more controversial English system 12 inches measure one foot and 3 feet is a yard. 3. As far as time is concerned, there are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour but 24 hours make a day. This leads us to the conclusion that, while we do have information on their methods of recording time, as yet, no data on basic numbers for measurements and objects has been found. The Mixe-Zoque, a pre-Maya people, and not the Maya, as is the common belief, invented the zero. The Zapotecs were the first to use bars and points, from 500 – 200 BC. Apart from using zero, it is interesting to note that the Maya, just as we do today, also used differential values to simplify mathematical calculations.