4 ms·
The purpose of working in number bases other than 10 is to reinforce the meaning of place value, and to implicitly teach students that the way we write numerals
by impendia 13y ago
The purpose of working in number bases other than 10 is to reinforce the meaning of place value, and to implicitly teach students that the way we write numerals is (1) very logical and sensible, but (2) an accident of biology.
What we should really do is make students add and multiply in Roman numerals. Quick, what's LXXVII x XLIV? Attempting that will make you appreciate decimal notation real quick.