Rakamla

Rakamla is a term used in fictional and puzzle contexts to denote a numeric encoding system that represents integers and decimal numbers as sequences of symbols. It is not an established mathematical notation but is discussed in communities focused on puzzles, cryptography, and speculative linguistics.

Etymology: The word combines Turkish rakam meaning digit with the suffix -la, implying a method or approach to numbers.

Structure and notation: In rakamla, each decimal digit is replaced by a short token drawn from a fixed symbol set. Tokens are concatenated with a delimiter, and a separate symbol marks the decimal point and the minus sign. Different implementations use different token sets and delimiter choices.

Example: Using a simple two-letter token mapping (0 AZ, 1 BY, 2 CX, 3 DW, 4 EV, 5 FU, 6 GW, 7 HX, 8 IJ, 9 JV) the number 2049 is encoded as CX-AZ-EV-JV. The decimal 12.34 could be BY-CX-DOT-DW-EV, where DOT marks the decimal point.

Origins and usage: The concept emerged in online puzzle circles in the 2010s as a playful alternative to traditional numeral systems and as a tool for encoding messages in puzzles and art projects. It has no universal standard, with multiple variant mappings circulating in fan communities.

Reception and limitations: Rakamla is primarily of interest to hobbyists and educators exploring encoding schemes; practical use is limited by the need to agree on a mapping and delimiter. It is sometimes discussed in relation to base-n representations, cipher alphabets, and steganography.