The fun thing is this is just a consequence of how we write numbers. If you used base 12 1/3 would be 0.4. Obviously 0.4 + 0.4 + 0.4 in base 12 is 1.0, so 3 x 0.4 = 1
What’s even more fun is that things like 1/5 or 1/10 are recurring decimals in base 12.
This is also why inches and feet (or just generally a base 12 measurement system) works well for certain measurement and construction tasks, but don’t say that too loudly around these parts or the Europeans will start a crusade.
I mean, I guess that there’s nothing stopping me from measuring in 12cm chunks, but I do find myself wishing for a metric measuring tape which marks in eighths and third cm. I just find the mental math to be easier in fractions but maybe that’s just me.
The fun thing is this is just a consequence of how we write numbers. If you used base 12 1/3 would be 0.4. Obviously 0.4 + 0.4 + 0.4 in base 12 is 1.0, so 3 x 0.4 = 1
What’s even more fun is that things like 1/5 or 1/10 are recurring decimals in base 12.
You know, this explanation makes it make sense to me a lot more than most of the others I’ve ever gotten.
This is also why inches and feet (or just generally a base 12 measurement system) works well for certain measurement and construction tasks, but don’t say that too loudly around these parts or the Europeans will start a crusade.
I mean, I guess that there’s nothing stopping me from measuring in 12cm chunks, but I do find myself wishing for a metric measuring tape which marks in eighths and third cm. I just find the mental math to be easier in fractions but maybe that’s just me.
Nah if we used a base 12 numbering system we wouldn’t be using centimetres. We would have 1/144 of a meter instead.