1. In general, spell out whole numbers from one through nine and use numerals (figures) for numbers 10 and above.

2. Spell out fractions standing alone and use symbols for fractions with whole numbers.

Examples:

• The rabbit ate three pounds of lettuce and 25 carrots.
• He spent one-tenth of his income on clothes.
• That is 2 ½ times more than last year.
• Three-quarters of the money went to buy shoes.

3. Avoid starting a sentence with a number, but if you must start with a number don’t use a numeral.

Examples:

• Eighteen out of 30 students received scholarships.
• Nineteen sixty-five marked SFU’s first term.
•  SFU began its first term in 1965.

You might have to rewrite some sentences: “Fans bought 300,000 albums in the first week” instead of “300,000 albums were sold in the first week.”

Spell out the word "per cent". Do not use the symbol % except in tables, graphics and charts. Hyphenate per-cent only when it is used to modify another word or phrase

Examples:

• Fewer than five per cent of the students attended the lecture.
• There was a 10-per-cent increase in student enrolment.
• Student participation increased by 20 per cent.

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