Also im aware that base is not the proper term in this case since the base is still 10, but I have not idea how you would call the switch to the bigger unit treshhold
Actually “base” is entirely the correct term in this case. The first group to write down a really systematic method for timekeeping were the Sumerians, and they used base-60 math. This worked really well with solar and lunar cycles, which were important for crop planting, and with astronomical studies (mapping the stars had major applications for both navigation and religion, so it was culturally significant). Empires that came after the Sumerians copied and expanded their system, so it eventually spread to everyone.
That is true! But I’m bad at recognizing the numbers (except four 🖕) once I’ve counted them. The 1-99 method (fingers on one hand are ones and thumb is 5, fingers on the other hand are tens and thumb is 50) is much easier to interpret.
Each finger is divided into 3 parts, tip, middle and base. You use your thumb on the same hand to count the finger part by touching it. Index tip is 1, middle finger tip is 4, ring middle is 8, pinkie base is 12.
So using just one hand, you could keep count of say, bags of wheat that you’re handing to your customers with the other hand.
Now bring your other hand into play, and you curl one finger into your fist each time you reach 12 on the other hand. 4 fingers plus the thumb is 5, 5*12 is 60.
In theory you could go higher using finger segments on both hands, but the Babylonians liked the number 60, it had a lot of factors. Divides without remainders by 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 10, 12. That’s where we get 12 hour clocks from. 6*60=360, we get degrees of a circle. I could go on. 60 is just a really great number.
Eye of Horus fractions are another really cool way to represent mathematical concepts in a single compact glyph.
Actually “base” is entirely the correct term in this case. The first group to write down a really systematic method for timekeeping were the Sumerians, and they used base-60 math. This worked really well with solar and lunar cycles, which were important for crop planting, and with astronomical studies (mapping the stars had major applications for both navigation and religion, so it was culturally significant). Empires that came after the Sumerians copied and expanded their system, so it eventually spread to everyone.
Fun fact you can count to 12 on one hand and 60 on two hands,bits how the Babylonians traded.
Is it possible to learn this power?
Edit: I can count to 9 on one hand and 99 on two hands. This is superior when using two hands, but 12 on one hand?
You can count to 31 on one hand and 1023 on two hands if you get really good at counting and adding with binary
That is true! But I’m bad at recognizing the numbers (except four 🖕) once I’ve counted them. The 1-99 method (fingers on one hand are ones and thumb is 5, fingers on the other hand are tens and thumb is 50) is much easier to interpret.
One of the many reasons I made the switch.
Each finger is divided into 3 parts, tip, middle and base. You use your thumb on the same hand to count the finger part by touching it. Index tip is 1, middle finger tip is 4, ring middle is 8, pinkie base is 12.
So using just one hand, you could keep count of say, bags of wheat that you’re handing to your customers with the other hand.
Now bring your other hand into play, and you curl one finger into your fist each time you reach 12 on the other hand. 4 fingers plus the thumb is 5, 5*12 is 60.
In theory you could go higher using finger segments on both hands, but the Babylonians liked the number 60, it had a lot of factors. Divides without remainders by 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 10, 12. That’s where we get 12 hour clocks from. 6*60=360, we get degrees of a circle. I could go on. 60 is just a really great number.
Eye of Horus fractions are another really cool way to represent mathematical concepts in a single compact glyph.
3 phalanges (each bone in your finger) per finger, 4 fingers.
With that you could get to 168 on two hands, I think.