AHC:Counting system other than decimal

[Johannes Parisiensis]

Today we use the decimal system, where the numbers are ounted as "packages" of powers of 10.

I would like to know how a non-decimal base (for exemple base 12, 20 or 60, though the first could be more likely) could have been widely adopted.

 

[Lindseyman]

Base 12 makes more sense mathematically (more factors than 10) Bases 10 or 8 were always more likely to be used (look at your hands for the reason why)

 

[funnyhat]

Vigesimal (base 20) counting systems do exist in many languages around the world. In many European languages, vigesimal and decimal counting existed side-by-side historically, although decimal counting often went on to prevail, at least for the lower numbers. (In French, vigesimal counting survives for numbers 70-99, and in Danish, for numbers 50-99.) In English, the word "score" (meaning 20) used to be used much more frequently than it is now.

I'm not sure, but I imagine the metric system may have contributed to the decline of vigesimal counting. If so, you could have the French revolutionaries decide to go "back to the basics" and establish a base-20 measuring system, which they and Napoleon could then export to areas they conquered.

 

[Jonathan Edelstein]

There were traces of a base-4 system in pre-decimal Indian currency, with 4 pies making an anna and 16 annas making a rupee. Prevent the currency being decimalized somehow, and prevent the rupee from being inflated to the point where fractional units fall out of use, and base-4 might still have some relevance in commerce and accounting.

 

[David T]

Base 12 makes more sense mathematically (more factors than 10) Bases 10 or 8 were always more likely to be used (look at your hands for the reason why)

"Base 8 is just like Base 10, really...if you're missing two fingers."--Tom Lehrer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Math

 

[Legofan4]

We still use base sixty for telling time so there is that.

 

[Mongo]

We still use base sixty for telling time so there is that.

Left over from the Mesopotamians. They also gave us 360 (60x6) degrees in a circle.

 

[Queeney]

Base 12 makes more sense mathematically (more factors than 10) Bases 10 or 8 were always more likely to be used (look at your hands for the reason why)

IIRC, the number of fully functional cases of polydactyly is rising quite rapidly. So who knows? Maybe in a few hundreds or thousands of years, a duodecimal system will finally make more sense. Yay, evolution!

 

[Jonathan Edelstein]

Another possibility is for a prehistoric genius to get the idea of place value and realize that you can count to 35 on your fingers using base six.

 

[varyar]

Five fingers and a closed fist makes six, so that could lead to a base 12 (or base 6) system perhaps?

 

[twovultures]

Five fingers and a closed fist makes six

Is that some kind of threat!?

 

[Simreeve]

There's apparently at least one tribe of Australian Aborigines who used binary...

 

[Henriksson]

Another possibility is for a prehistoric genius to get the idea of place value and realize that you can count to 35 on your fingers using base six.

And the value of that before the invention of writing is what, exactly?

 

[Lycaon pictus]

In Lands of Red and Gold, Jared mentioned that the Gunnagal count to twelve on the fingers of one hand by pointing at their finger joints with their thumbs.

 

[Jared]

In Lands of Red and Gold, Jared mentioned that the Gunnagal count to twelve on the fingers of one hand by pointing at their finger joints with their thumbs.

And that's based on a real counting system used in Pakistan (and, probably elsewhere) today, so it's not impossible for that to evolve into a base-12 number system either.

 

[Johannes Parisiensis]

I have two hypothesises:

1. Mesoamerican civilizations manage to survive the onslaught of the contact with European powers - a bit difficult.
2. As Lycaon pictus said, make the first humans count their phalanges with their thumbs and realize they can go farther than by merely counting their fingers.

 

[Jonathan Edelstein]

And the value of that before the invention of writing is what, exactly?

Illiterate people can have more than ten of something and need to avoid losing count of it. Livestock is the most obvious example, and illiterate peasants have indeed developed counting systems such as the base 5/base 20 one that was once used in much of rural England.

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

You can count in binary with your fingers, too.

Although you might need to be careful showimg the number 4 (or 6 in Britain).