Number Difference Group
(1564) \
(0) |
1211 | 3986
1211 |
1211 /
2422
2598 \
5020 | 3986
1388 /
6408
2598 \
9006 | 3986
1388 /
10394
1564
(11958)
The three parts are not exactly alike, however, as has already been
pointed out in considering the probable errors. If the upper numbers and
day numbers in column 6 should be altered, so that the difference 178
might occur in that column instead of column 7, and if, by the same
process, the difference of 148 could occur in column 59 instead of 58,
then the three parts of the series would be entirely alike. The three
facts mentioned are, however, very strong evidence for supposing that
the people who used this table considered it as consisting of three
equal parts.
This series in the Dresden is very similar to other pages of the Dresden
and other manuscripts, two examples of which are given as illustrations.
One of the most interesting parallels is the series on pages 46-50 of
this same manuscript. This series covers a period of 2920 days which is
divided into 20 unequal subdivisions. On page 24, which just precedes
page 46, this number is used as a unit in multiplication, that is, the
numbers occurring on page 24 are separated from each other by 2920 or
multiples of this number. On pages 44b and 45b the number 78 is divided
into four unequal parts, and on pages 43b and 44b it is used as a unit
in a series which finally reaches the number 1940 × 78.