• bobbytables@feddit.de
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    12
    ·
    8 months ago

    AFAIK the system goes back to the old Babylonians who had a base-60 system subdivided into 5 times 12. 5 times 12 could easily be counted using your thumb to count the 12 knuckles on the other fingers and the 5 fingers of the other hand.

    I mean, how amazing is counting like that! I only learned to count to 10 with my fingers. I love the base-10 for its simplicity but base-60, subbase-12 is the shit :D

    • Emma_Gold_Man@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      8 months ago

      Even easier and more comfortable - count the pads instead of the knuckles. You can count to 12 with one hand, or 144 with two

      • bobbytables@feddit.de
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        8 months ago

        You are right! English is not my first language and I thought I was talking about the pads. My bad! Yours is the best way!