6 ms·
What's a concrete eli5 example of how a base 12 system would be a benefit? The number 12 still exists. The base just dictates when the order of magnitude change
by thinkloop 6y ago
What's a concrete eli5 example of how a base 12 system would be a benefit? The number 12 still exists. The base just dictates when the order of magnitude changes, so larger numbers can be represented with slightly fewer digits, but I don't see much more. Am I missing something?
- neilpanchal 6y agoIf the numeric system was 0123456789AB and 10 (would be 12 in decimal), then 10 would have 2, 3, 4, 6 whole number fractions. 10/2 = 6 10/3 = 4 10/4 = 3 10/6 = 2 That's two more whole number fractions than 10 (decimal) which is only divisible by 2 and 5.
- mjevans 6y agoMeanwhile, the benefit of a system like metric is decimals rather than fractions. It is trivial to change the resolution of a measure or number. E.G. The speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second. The speed of light is 299,792.458 KM per second. The speed of light is about 300 M meters per second.
- neilpanchal 6y agoThat’s not true. You can have decimals for any base. 10/5 in Base 12 is 2.49724972497... Or binary (Base 2) 1011/101 = 10.0011001100... Duodecimal metric system would have the same features that you’re talking about (which have nothing to do with the base).