10 vs. 12

Discussion in 'Free Thoughts' started by stateofmind, May 10, 2009.

  1. stateofmind seeker of lies Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,362
    Why do we use a number system based on 10? 10 can only be divided evenly into halves; 12 on the other hand can be divided into halves, quarters, and thirds.

    The strangest thing of all is that in the U.S. we use a measuring system based on 12 but a numbering system based on 10! How irrational!

    Changing to a 12 based numbering system would be relatively simple and would make counting and dividing much easier - too bad everyone's too "set in their ways." Between this and the 12 month calendar, I don't know which is a bigger travesty to human rationality.
     
  2. Guest Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  3. CutsieMarie89 Zen Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    3,485
    12 is easier to divide and 10 is easier to add and multiply. I guess it depends on what you're doing. But it's much easier to work with ten.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2009
  4. Guest Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  5. CheskiChips Banned Banned

    Messages:
    3,538
    You're such a foo.
     
  6. Guest Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  7. stateofmind seeker of lies Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,362
    How do you figure? Remember, I'm talking about a different numbering system, so you can't look at it in the context of our number system that's based on 10 - you get what I mean?

    Is this directed at me or CutsieMarie?
     
  8. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184
    Wasn't the decimal system derived from the amount of fingers we have ? If you look at it like that it is logical.
     
  9. Roman Banned Banned

    Messages:
    11,560
    That's the theory, anyway. The Mayans had a base 5/10/20 system modeled after jaguar paws.
     
  10. stateofmind seeker of lies Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,362
    That's not too good of a reason to have a number system based on ten though. And in case you didn't know, some people are born with symmetrical 6 finger hands.

    http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/6fingers2.jpg
     
  11. stateofmind seeker of lies Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,362
    I thought it was a base 12 and a base 20?
     
  12. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184
    It is in an age without computers etc.
    By far the most humans have 10 fingers though. That a small minority have a few more (or perhaps less) is hardly relevant.

    Interesting, I didn't know that.
     
  13. stateofmind seeker of lies Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,362
    But why not discard an inferior tool for a better one? - especially something as basic and integral as our numbering system.
     
  14. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184
    Because we are used to it, and it works fine.
    If we wanted to change it we should probably have done it before the computer age.. too much trouble and cost now I'm afraid.
     
  15. stateofmind seeker of lies Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,362
    You do acknowledge the superiority of a 12 based number system though, right?
     
  16. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    33,264
    Because we have only ten fingers.

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

     
  17. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    Because base 12 isn't a better system all round - we Brits also used it for our small units of currency and a good part of the school curriculum was spent learning the "12 times table", what a waste of time.
    Base 10 is faster and easier for multiplication and division.
    Shifting a decimal point is far easier than actually calculating...
    PS you missed out that 10 can split into fifths as well as halves.
     
  18. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184
    I don't know. You mean solely based on the fact that you can split it 4-ways ?
    Anyway, it doesn't matter much. They aren't going to rewrite all the software..
    And what of the kids that are halve way through elementary ?
     
  19. stateofmind seeker of lies Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,362
    If you were using a 12 based numbering system you would be able to just shift a decimal point - you're trying to conceptualize this within a 10 based numbering system.

    What of the people who have already graduated high school (life myself?) I would be willing to change to it. It would be akin to changing all the fuel pumps at gas stations to heavy water stations for hydrogen powered infrastructure - but in the conceptual realm. Of course a bit of remodeling and resetting would have to be done but it comes with the prize of greater efficiency and ease.
     
  20. Exterminate!!! Registered Member

    Messages:
    254
    mankind is based on expansion. we seek not to divide but to multiply

    CORPORATIONS RULE THE WORLD BASE TEN AT A TIME!
     
  21. Roman Banned Banned

    Messages:
    11,560
    Base ten is easier to use exponentially, too. Just add zeros. What would you add with base 12?

    I know base 20 was in there. Maybe I made up the rest
     
  22. CutsieMarie89 Zen Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    3,485
    The kids in elementary? I don't see how it would really effect them.
     
  23. codanblad a love of bridges Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,397
    they should have their own digitally challenged numerical system then.
     

Share This Page