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Even if that were true (and I highly doubt it is), when you then need to transcribe those points on a line for future reference you'd do so using decimal. You w
by laumars 6y ago
Even if that were true (and I highly doubt it is), when you then need to transcribe those points on a line for future reference you'd do so using decimal. You wouldn't have number lines on a shopping list against items you need multiples of any more than you'd hold up different lengths of string to bar staff when ordering a round of drinks.
The reason being is because decimal is the base system people learn when growing up. It's also widely speculated that one of the origins of decimal is around the number of digits (it's not an accident I've chosen that ambiguous term) on our hands: 10 fingers and thumbs. You might mentally map that to number line when trying to assess the distance between numbers or visualise formula but ultimately these would be mental models you generate on top of decimal rather than in place of.
- jfkebwjsbx 6y agoPrices aren’t real numbers. They aren’t even fractional. They are integers with a fixed point, which is an entirely different domain.
- laumars 6y agoYou put quantities on shipping lists, not prices. Prices go on the receipt. They would be integers rather than real numbers. edit: you've now edited your post to repeat a lot of what I put above. Though I doubt intentional (probably a race condition of us both posting at the same time). Anyhow, I'll keep what I posted as it's still relevant.
- jfkebwjsbx 6y agoYeah sorry, I added more because leaving it at the first sentence could be misunderstood. It is true that in home shopping lists there aren’t prices. I was thinking more about company ones (like parts).
- laumars 6y agoEither way your point is valid :)