3 ms·
12 is such a useful number given it has 2,3,4 and 6 as factors- lots of fairly simple mental math can get you pretty far. 20 is nice, but you could make the sa
by zdragnar 4y ago
12 is such a useful number given it has 2,3,4 and 6 as factors- lots of fairly simple mental math can get you pretty far.
20 is nice, but you could make the same argument for 30 (5x6). In both cases, there's too much overhead because you still have the useful 10 as a factor in any situation that doesn't need groups of rectangles.
I don't know if this adds much to the discussion, other than perhaps there isn't really a need for ranchers and bakers to use the same factors or base counting system?
- GolfPopper 4y agoEach of the four fingers on a hand has three phalanges, and thus three joints (not counting the thumb). That makes it easy to count to 12 on one hand, using the thumb to track which you're on. (I vaguely recall from school that this coms from Mesopotamia, but don't have a reference.)
- 082349872349872 4y agoOne could make the same argument for 30, but 20 shows up repeatedly ("four score and seven", «quatrevingt-treize», 'Jiggit') and I can't think of any 30's. Months?