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  3. Why (western) humans use the decimal system?

Why (western) humans use the decimal system?

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  • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

    Interesting. I identify as the aroma of roses on a summer's evening.

    Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

    Sander RosselS Offline
    Sander RosselS Offline
    Sander Rossel
    wrote on last edited by
    #31

    So you're saying we should kill all plants? You monster... Don't say I didn't warn you :)

    Best, Sander Continuous Integration, Delivery, and Deployment arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript Object-Oriented Programming in C# Succinctly

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    • L Lost User

      0x01AA wrote:

      Btw: I'm Aware, it took a longer time to recognize that "Zero" also exists.

      I've recently been watching some YouTube videos late at night about the Sumerian Sexagesimal (base 60)[^] system. It's extremely interesting. The Sumerians absolutely knew about zero.. but they did not have a symbol for it. In all of the clay tablets with calculations requiring a zero... there is a blank space where the number zero should be. That makes perfect sense to me... with zero being NULL. Best Wishes, -David Delaune

      B Offline
      B Offline
      BillWoodruff
      wrote on last edited by
      #32

      There is some very interesting speculation about west-to-east (from Egypt) cultural transmission of iconography and the mathematical basis for weights and measures in this book on the weights of Burma (now Myanmar): Note: CP editor is not displaying pasted in links as expected ... https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Heaven-Animal-Shaped-Weights-Burmese/dp/9747551209 It's an out-of print book for a specialist, and ridiculously expensive, now. And, frustrating to read because some very grandiose theories are proposed, but sources are not annotated satisfactorily.

      «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

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      • C CPallini

        Quote:

        I know about another bool System

        Boob system, we call it.

        B Offline
        B Offline
        BillWoodruff
        wrote on last edited by
        #33

        but, that's binary, most often !

        «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

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        • B BillWoodruff

          but, that's binary, most often !

          «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

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          C Offline
          CPallini
          wrote on last edited by
          #34

          Don't know about you, but they are not equivalent systems to me. :-D

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          • L Lost User

            Is it really because we have ten fingers? Would it then not be more logical to use then a system based on 11?:confused: :laugh: Btw: I'm Aware, it took a longer time to recognize that "Zero" also exists. From what I remember it was somebody from India who recognized this fact first. [Edit] Try to imagine we would have only one finger...

            It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

            K Offline
            K Offline
            kmoorevs
            wrote on last edited by
            #35

            I have nothing to add, just wanted to say that this is a great example of why I like this place. i. Interesting questions ii. Lot's of really smart people here with intelligent or humorous (both entertaining) answers ..even on a weekend! :)

            "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

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            • K kmoorevs

              I have nothing to add, just wanted to say that this is a great example of why I like this place. i. Interesting questions ii. Lot's of really smart people here with intelligent or humorous (both entertaining) answers ..even on a weekend! :)

              "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

              L Offline
              L Offline
              Lost User
              wrote on last edited by
              #36

              So have a nice Weekend :)

              It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • M Mladen Jankovic

                [Because every base is base 10](https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c9468c7f3d7bcef7b0f2d0fdf83328d4)

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #37

                :thumbsup:

                It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • B BillWoodruff

                  There is some very interesting speculation about west-to-east (from Egypt) cultural transmission of iconography and the mathematical basis for weights and measures in this book on the weights of Burma (now Myanmar): Note: CP editor is not displaying pasted in links as expected ... https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Heaven-Animal-Shaped-Weights-Burmese/dp/9747551209 It's an out-of print book for a specialist, and ridiculously expensive, now. And, frustrating to read because some very grandiose theories are proposed, but sources are not annotated satisfactorily.

                  «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #38

                  Earth to Heaven: The Royal Animal-Shaped Weights of the Burmese Empire: Joan Gear, Donald Gear: 9789747551204: Amazon.com: Books[^] To Format a link I'm usually go to Q/A, paste the link into an answer, copy the formated preview and cancel answering. This works reliable most (all the) times.

                  It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                  B 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • B BillWoodruff

                    There is some very interesting speculation about west-to-east (from Egypt) cultural transmission of iconography and the mathematical basis for weights and measures in this book on the weights of Burma (now Myanmar): Note: CP editor is not displaying pasted in links as expected ... https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Heaven-Animal-Shaped-Weights-Burmese/dp/9747551209 It's an out-of print book for a specialist, and ridiculously expensive, now. And, frustrating to read because some very grandiose theories are proposed, but sources are not annotated satisfactorily.

                    «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #39

                    Hi, Found a peer-review of the book[^]. It looks interesting. Best Wishes, -David Delaune

                    B 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • B BillWoodruff

                      0x01AA wrote:

                      explain what you are discussing

                      Re-read the title of your post, then re-read the links in my post. If you're still confused, don't feel you need to tell me :)

                      «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

                      L Offline
                      L Offline
                      Lost User
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #40

                      I am often surprised by my contributions :laugh:

                      It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

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                      • P Patrice T

                        Jörgen Andersson wrote:

                        The danes and the french does.

                        En est tu certain ?

                        Patrice “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” Albert Einstein

                        J Offline
                        J Offline
                        Jorgen Andersson
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #41

                        70 = soixante-dix 80 = quatre-vingts 90 = quatre-vingt-dix And danish: 50 = halvtreds 60 = tres 70 = halvfjerds 80 = firs 90 = halvfems In Paris you have (Or had) l’Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts, which used to have 300 beds. Mostly remnants today, the Swizz (and if I recall correctly the Belgians) have gone full decimal. Switzerland uses septante for 70, octante or huitante for 80 and nonante for 90 In english there are small rests of it too: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." (The Gettysberg Address, 1863)

                        Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

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                        • J Jorgen Andersson

                          70 = soixante-dix 80 = quatre-vingts 90 = quatre-vingt-dix And danish: 50 = halvtreds 60 = tres 70 = halvfjerds 80 = firs 90 = halvfems In Paris you have (Or had) l’Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts, which used to have 300 beds. Mostly remnants today, the Swizz (and if I recall correctly the Belgians) have gone full decimal. Switzerland uses septante for 70, octante or huitante for 80 and nonante for 90 In english there are small rests of it too: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." (The Gettysberg Address, 1863)

                          Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

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                          P Offline
                          pth14
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #42

                          It is almost correct. Belgians still use 80 (quatre-vingts). But you are perfectly right about 70 and 90.

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                          0
                          • L Lost User

                            I am often surprised by my contributions :laugh:

                            It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                            B Offline
                            B Offline
                            BillWoodruff
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #43

                            0x01AA wrote:

                            am often surprised by my contributions

                            I think that is one of the most wonderful "features" of this great site, and the remarkable people on it ! What could be better than to learn things we did not know we did not know ? :) cheers, Bill

                            «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • J Jorgen Andersson

                              70 = soixante-dix 80 = quatre-vingts 90 = quatre-vingt-dix And danish: 50 = halvtreds 60 = tres 70 = halvfjerds 80 = firs 90 = halvfems In Paris you have (Or had) l’Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts, which used to have 300 beds. Mostly remnants today, the Swizz (and if I recall correctly the Belgians) have gone full decimal. Switzerland uses septante for 70, octante or huitante for 80 and nonante for 90 In english there are small rests of it too: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." (The Gettysberg Address, 1863)

                              Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

                              P Offline
                              P Offline
                              Patrice T
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #44

                              We count in base 10, but some names remain from the past. :-D The dozen is still in little usage: 2 dozen eggs

                              Patrice “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” Albert Einstein

                              J P 2 Replies Last reply
                              0
                              • L Lost User

                                Hi, Found a peer-review of the book[^]. It looks interesting. Best Wishes, -David Delaune

                                B Offline
                                B Offline
                                BillWoodruff
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #45

                                Hi, If you really want this book, let me know ... while I don't think it has ever been digitized, once in a while I find a copy in a Chiang Mai used book store for cheap. I disagree with both the reviews currently on Amazon :) cheers, Bill

                                «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • P Patrice T

                                  We count in base 10, but some names remain from the past. :-D The dozen is still in little usage: 2 dozen eggs

                                  Patrice “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” Albert Einstein

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  Jorgen Andersson
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #46

                                  I understand it's a leftover from the Celts.

                                  Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • L Lost User

                                    Is it really because we have ten fingers? Would it then not be more logical to use then a system based on 11?:confused: :laugh: Btw: I'm Aware, it took a longer time to recognize that "Zero" also exists. From what I remember it was somebody from India who recognized this fact first. [Edit] Try to imagine we would have only one finger...

                                    It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                                    M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    maze3
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #47

                                    I can think that Zero does not offer much trade use? You either trade or not. If i give you 10 for somthing of 5 value, you give me 5 back. but if i give you 10 for something of 10 value, you don't give me anything back. Nothing/Zero is similar. - yes its zero, but for the purpose of the trade, nothing. contrast with mathematics, 2x0 - not sure what trade situation except the trader turns up with nothing to trade. I'm not going to work out some maths to know he aint got anything to trade.

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                                    • P Patrice T

                                      We count in base 10, but some names remain from the past. :-D The dozen is still in little usage: 2 dozen eggs

                                      Patrice “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” Albert Einstein

                                      P Offline
                                      P Offline
                                      PeejayAdams
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #48

                                      The dozen, I suspect, is also based on fingers. It's a system that emanates from East Anglia.

                                      98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

                                      M 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • L Lost User

                                        Earth to Heaven: The Royal Animal-Shaped Weights of the Burmese Empire: Joan Gear, Donald Gear: 9789747551204: Amazon.com: Books[^] To Format a link I'm usually go to Q/A, paste the link into an answer, copy the formated preview and cancel answering. This works reliable most (all the) times.

                                        It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                                        B Offline
                                        B Offline
                                        BillWoodruff
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #49

                                        There is a known bug with link paste currently being reported on the Buggs%Suggs forum.

                                        «... thank the gods that they have made you superior to those events which they have not placed within your own control, rendered you accountable for that only which is within you own control For what, then, have they made you responsible? For that which is alone in your own power—a right use of things as they appear.» Discourses of Epictetus Book I:12

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • L Lost User

                                          Is it really because we have ten fingers? Would it then not be more logical to use then a system based on 11?:confused: :laugh: Btw: I'm Aware, it took a longer time to recognize that "Zero" also exists. From what I remember it was somebody from India who recognized this fact first. [Edit] Try to imagine we would have only one finger...

                                          It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                                          K Offline
                                          K Offline
                                          Kirill Illenseer
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #50

                                          11 is far from logical. Afterall, using an 11-based system would exclude roughly half of the population from counting.

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