whats better in digits - (Oct/07/2008 )

Its better to write 5 or five or there is any rule that no. below 5 is to spell out or above 5 have to write it out.
regards

In scientific writing, it is normal to write out numbers only if they are at the beginning of a sentence.

Example:

One hundred microlitres of buffer were added to the mixture.


If they are within a sentence, numbers are given with the numeral.

Example:

The reaction contained 1 µl 2.5 mM dTNPs, 5 µl 5X buffer, and water to 30 µl.


In non-scientific formal writing, (such as a book or newspaper, or official correspondence) it is preferable to write out all the numbers.

Example:

The Vikings made landfall in North America more than one thousand years ago.

or

I have been working in industry for five years.



In informal writing (such as writing an email to a friend) using digits is fine

Example:

See you in 15 minutes!


Ginger

In Germany there is the rule that you write out all numbers below 12 and write them as number above, so like "eleven" and "13". But I would stick to Gingers rules if you write in english.

In the US, the rule has varied over time for non-scientific formal writing. My mother was taught to write out all numbers below 100, while my sibling and I were taught to write out the numbers Ten and below, while all of us were taught to also write out nice, "round" numbers such as five thousand or two million. I actually prefer the older rule to the newer one.