Habits Observed In Naturally Written Numbers

Naturally written numbers tend to be individualized to a particular writer as they depart from the copybook style. Initial and ending strokes, ornamentation, design simplification, overall slant and the interrelationship of component parts in the more complex digits “2,” “3,” “4,” “6,” “8,” and “9” comprise these basic qualities. This paper will explore the formation of naturally written numbers and the frequency of occurrence of at least one set of numbers connected by the writer in their three-page exemplar. Two hundred participants completed a four-page exemplar consisting of three pages of naturally executed numbers and one page of disguised numbers. For this study, the three pages of naturally written numbers were examined and percentages determined as to frequency of occurrence of habits observed in the three-page exemplars. Out of the 200 participants in this study, 37% connected at least one set of numbers using a connecting stroke. The percentage of writers using the snowman “8” and the crossbar “7” were also assessed. This paper lists the combinations of numbers connected by a connecting stroke and the percentage of usage of specific number formations.