Of Crores and Crores – Comparing Indian and International Number Systems

Theory: Indian and International systems use different words and groupings to express large numbers. 1 lakh = 100,000; 1 crore = 10 million.
Example:
Question: How many millions are there in 1 crore?
Solution: 1 crore = 1,00,00,000 = 10 million

Theory: In Indian system, digits are grouped in a 3-2-2 pattern from right. E.g., 1,23,45,678 = 1 crore 23 lakh 45 thousand 678.
Example:
Question: Insert commas in 9876501234 using Indian system.
Solution: 9,87,65,01,234

Theory: In the International system, digits are grouped in 3-3-3 pattern from right. E.g., 9876501234 = 9,876,501,234 = 9 billion 876 million 501 thousand 234.
Example:
Question: Rewrite 1020304050 using international format.
Solution: 1,020,304,050

Theory: Indian format uses comma after 3 digits from right, then after every 2 digits. International format uses comma after every 3 digits.
Example:
Question: Add commas to 246813579 in both systems.
Solution: Indian: 24,68,13,579; International: 246,813,579

Theory: Different naming systems use different zero counts. 1 lakh = 1 followed by 5 zeroes, 1 crore = 7 zeroes, 1 million = 6, 1 billion = 9.
Example:
Question: How many zeroes in 100 crores?
Solution: 100 crores = 1 arab = 1,00,00,00,000 = 9 zeroes

Theory: The Indian number system is used in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc., and has Sanskrit roots (laksha and koti).
Example:
Question: Which countries use the Indian number system besides India?
Solution: Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives, Afghanistan

Theory: To convert, rearrange the digits using international comma placement. Understand place values and number grouping.
Example:
Question: Convert 10,20,30,405 to international format.
Solution: 1,020,304,05 → 102,030,405

Theory: Learn to read/write a number in both formats and translate between word and numeric forms.
Example:
Question: Write 345000543 in both systems.
Solution: Indian: 34,50,00,543 = 34 crore 50 lakh 543; International: 345,000,543 = 345 million 543

Theory: Place values like lakh, crore, million, billion are assigned based on groupings. Knowing both helps in global numeracy.
Example:
Question: 800 thousand ____ 8 million
Solution: 800,000 < 8,000,000 ⇒ 800 thousand < 8 million

Theory: Both systems are used in global finance, population statistics, scientific data, and international trade.
Example:
Question: Which is more commonly used in international banking: lakh or million?
Solution: Million (International system)