Numbers are written by arranging digits in a row and each place in the row has a different value. This value depends on the base of the number system. The most common base nowadays is 10:

10x10x10x1010x10x1010x10101
Ten thousands ThousandsHundredsTensUnits/Ones

We often use these short forms for the columns:

TTh ThHTU

To count in different bases, we just group numbers in a different way. For example, for base 2:

2x2x2x2x2x2 2x2x2x2x2 2x2x2x2 2x2x2 2x2 2 1
Sixty fours Thirty twos Sixteens EightsFours TwosUnits/Ones

Zios count in base 3 so their numbers are grouped like this (we shall only look at the first three columns):

3x331
NinesThreesUnits/Ones

Let's work out what a Zio's 111 is in human numbers (base 10):

NinesThreesUnits/Ones
1 11

So, 111 = (1 x 9) + (1 x 3) + 1 = 13.

Zepts count in base 7 so their numbers are grouped like this:

7x7 71
Forty ninesSevensUnits/Ones

Let's see what a Zept's 111 is in base 10:

Forty ninesSevensUnits/Ones
111

So, 111 = (1 x 49) + (1 x 7) + 1 = 57.

To find out which way each type of creature is facing, calculate each number in human counting (base 10).

Remember that the creatures must be seeing numbers which could be a combination of Zios' and Zepts' legs.