Figure it out: Numbers, CP Style

Did Tiger Woods have 9 mistresses, or nine mistresses? Should the menu say the martini is 9 dollars or $9? If you’re scratching your head over the whole numbers and figures ordeal, rest assured that you are not alone. With the help of our beloved CP Stylebook, this post will distill the common myths around using numbers and figures in your writing.

Let’s begin with the general rule of thumb: Spell out whole numbers below 10 and use figures for 10 and above.

Three cats, nine trees, 10 friends, the 23rd day, a man in his 60s

Some other general rules:

For numbers in official names, follow the organization’s spelling style even when it is at odds with Canadian Press practice.

7Up, The FAN 590, the film 7 Fathers

To be meaningful, a percentage loss or gain should normally be accompanied by a dollar or some other amount.

Sales fell 20 per cent to $25,000. Kim Kardashian, said she lost 10,000 followers on Twitter after her split with hubby, Kris Humphries, a 15 per cent decrease.

When to use figures:

In addresses:

172 Beatrice Ave., 500 Steeles Ave. West

Note: Spell out First through Ninth as street names.

Fifth Ave., 23 59th St.

In ages standing alone after a name:

Sarah, 3, has two brothers, eight and nine. Joshua, two months old, was born at Princess Margaret Hospital in June.

In monetary units preceded by a symbol:

The martini is $9 (not $9.00), nine dollars; two euros, 25 euros; $1 million (but one million people); $2 billion

In times:

1 a.m. (not 1:00 a.m), 2 o’clock, 10:15 p.m.

In dates and years

Dec. 8, 8th of December; 1987, ’87; the 1950s, the ‘50s; he’s in his late 20s.

In decisions, rulings, scores, votes and odds:

The court ruled 5-4, a 5-4 ruling. Toronto beat Montreal 3-1 (but a two-goal margin). The decision was passed by a vote of 25-6; or a 25-6 vote. Odds of 5-2, a 10-1 longshot

When to spell out

At the start of a sentence, if you must start with a number:

Twenty to 30 students attended CPRS’ annual kick-off event.

Note 1: Do not spell out the year at the start, but avoid: 1987 was the year Beatrice was born.

Note 2: When numbers from 21-99 must be written out, use a hyphen: Seventy-five students were enrolled in the 2011-2012 Corporate Communications program at Seneca College.

In informal or casual usage:

Entries to win tickets to see Lady Gaga poured in by the hundreds and thousands.

In figures of speech and the like:

Ten Commandments, Big Ten, Twelve Apostles, wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole

So by now you should know that Mr. Woods had nine mistresses and that much-needed martini reads $9. Don’t be intimidated by the extensive list of CP rules for numbers; the more you use them, the easier they are to remember. Bonne chance!