This unit shows how to express elementary arithmetic in Klingon.

We teach how to form lager numbers and decimals, which use vI', and how to express addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Big numbers

This unit introduces number suffixes for bigger numbers: -netlh for 10,000, -bIp for 100,000, and -'uy' for 1,000,000.

These work just like the suffixes -maH, -vatlh, -SaD/-SanID which you have already learned, for example, vaghnetlh is 50,000 and cha'bIp wejnetlh SochmaH is 230,070.

The way mathematical procedures are expressed is rather different from how English does it, so they will be explained here.

A mathematical expression such as 4 + 3 = 7 is read in English in pretty much the same order as it is written down: Four plus three equals seven.

Klingon uses the verbs boq ally with and chen form; take shape in such sentences and would read that as wej boq loS; chen Soch—literally, Four allies with three; seven forms.

In other words, one number allies with another one, and the result is that a new number (the result) takes shape, comes into being, forms.

In such mathematical expressions, the numbers are considered singular. For example, 8 + 1 = 9 is wa' boq chorgh; chen Hut, where the verb boq is in the form for singular subject, singular object—it does not take the prefix lu- for plural subject, singular object since the chorgh in that expression is considered singular: a "pure number" rather than a count of multiple things.

Subtraction

Subtraction proceeds in a similar manner to addition, using the verb boqHa' dis-ally or dissociate from.

For example, 13 − 8 = 5 would be read as wa'maH wej boqHa' chorgh; chen vagh—literally, Eight dissociates from thirteen; five forms.

Multiplication and division

Expressing multiplication and division works a bit like addition and subtraction, involving the verb boq ally with and chen form, come into being.

Multiplication

Multiplication is essentially repeated adding—4×8 is like adding 8 to itself four times.

So in Klingon, multiplication uses the verb boq'egh allies with itself, formed from boq ally with and the suffix -'egh which indicates that the action of the verb is directed back at the subject itself.

For example, 4 × 8 = 32 is expressed as loSlogh boq'egh chorgh; chen wejmaH cha' Four times, eight allies with itself; thirty-two forms.

Division

Division involves the verb boqHa"egh dissociates from itself—for example, 27 ÷ 3 = 9 is expressed as wejlogh boqHa"egh cha'maH Soch; chen Hut or literally, Twenty-seven dissociates from itself three times; nine forms.