• frezik@midwest.social
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      6 months ago

      Common denominators. You can divide base 12 into half, thirds, fourths, and sixths and still use integers. I find thirds to be particularly useful, so base 16 is out. Base 60 can do it, but that’s getting unweildly.

      • Aceticon@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        There are no common denominators in base 12 that you can’t use in base 84, and the latter also has 7 as a common denominator.

        I, for one, vote for changing our base to 84.

        • reiseno_@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          6 months ago

          You can do base 12 on fingers! You count each of the 3 segments on each finger and ignore the thumb (you can use it to keep your place), so you can count up to 12 on just one hand! :)

          • frezik@midwest.social
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            6 months ago

            This is why I’m not totally sold on the idea that we use base 10 because we have 10 fingers. There are a lot of ways to count with your fingers. Plus, there are many cultures throughout human history that use something else. Base 10 in modern times might just be a historical quirk.

            • teft@lemmy.world
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              6 months ago

              Some societies used base 27 from counting body parts. Sumeria famously used base 60. It’s why minutes and hours are divided by 60

        • Aceticon@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          Just add left arm, right arm to it or, if you’re a guy nose and dick.

          Certainly, especially the male version, it would make the visual act of counting far more funny to watch.

          I think I’m starting to warm up to the whole base 12 idea…