3 ms·

Counting in binary gets you even further. If each finger is one bit, you can easily count to 2^10-1 == 1023. I frequently use this to keep track of running tota

by daeken 10y ago

Counting in binary gets you even further. If each finger is one bit, you can easily count to 2^10-1 == 1023. I frequently use this to keep track of running totals over 10.

kmill 10y ago
In my high school orchestra, I'd count the rest measures on my cello's fingerboard using binary. Usually I'd only need four fingers, but occasionally I'd need my thumb as well if the composer mistook the cello for a bass.
khedoros1 10y ago
There was a teacher in high school that taught his classes to count in binary on their fingers. It became common for students to flip the double bird at each other in the halls yelling "132!"
lern_too_spel 10y ago
This method is impractical to use due to the way the human hand works. Representing numbers where the middle and ring fingers are in different positions is tricky, and using this method for counting quickly is nearly impossible because it requires the simultaneous movement of multiple fingers up and down. The method of counting on finger creases, on the other hand, is entirely practical, and I've known people who have used it for more than 50 years.
- yorwba 10y ago
  There is quite some variation in the way the human hand works. I can move my middle and ring fingers completely independently, but when I stretch my left middle finger, my left pinky tries to extend, too. I can prevent this by pressing its tip against my palm. Except for this difficulty, simultaneously moving multiple fingers is no problem for me. For binary counting you just need to flip a group of fingers inward and extend the next one. There are instruments that require more difficult movement patterns to play. I just timed myself repeatedly counting to 32 as fast as possible on my left hand, and I averaged at 13 seconds. That seems entirely practical to me.
  - lern_too_spel 10y ago
    Now try counting to 32 using the creases method. You'll beat that time without any practice. I can count on my creases faster than I can count in my head, and it requires little mental effort, which is why you would use an external counter in the first place.
- thaumasiotes 10y ago
  > using this method for counting quickly is nearly impossible because it requires the simultaneous movement of multiple fingers up and down Simple solution: use the Gray code. :D

by daeken 10y ago

Counting in binary gets you even further. If each finger is one bit, you can easily count to 2^10-1 == 1023. I frequently use this to keep track of running totals over 10.

kmill 10y ago

In my high school orchestra, I'd count the rest measures on my cello's fingerboard using binary. Usually I'd only need four fingers, but occasionally I'd need my thumb as well if the composer mistook the cello for a bass.

khedoros1 10y ago

There was a teacher in high school that taught his classes to count in binary on their fingers. It became common for students to flip the double bird at each other in the halls yelling "132!"

lern_too_spel 10y ago

This method is impractical to use due to the way the human hand works. Representing numbers where the middle and ring fingers are in different positions is tricky, and using this method for counting quickly is nearly impossible because it requires the simultaneous movement of multiple fingers up and down. The method of counting on finger creases, on the other hand, is entirely practical, and I've known people who have used it for more than 50 years.

yorwba 10y ago
There is quite some variation in the way the human hand works. I can move my middle and ring fingers completely independently, but when I stretch my left middle finger, my left pinky tries to extend, too. I can prevent this by pressing its tip against my palm. Except for this difficulty, simultaneously moving multiple fingers is no problem for me. For binary counting you just need to flip a group of fingers inward and extend the next one. There are instruments that require more difficult movement patterns to play. I just timed myself repeatedly counting to 32 as fast as possible on my left hand, and I averaged at 13 seconds. That seems entirely practical to me.
- lern_too_spel 10y ago
  Now try counting to 32 using the creases method. You'll beat that time without any practice. I can count on my creases faster than I can count in my head, and it requires little mental effort, which is why you would use an external counter in the first place.
thaumasiotes 10y ago
> using this method for counting quickly is nearly impossible because it requires the simultaneous movement of multiple fingers up and down Simple solution: use the Gray code. :D