A topic for Glenn or Harold re: metrics

[mklotz]

The Maya were obsessed with keeping track of time. Their calendar long counts are inscribed all over the memorials found in central America.

An extract from one of my Mayan calendar calculation programs is shown below. Not only does it show their dependence on a vigesimal number system but also the astounding fact that they had a representation for a period of time of 64 million years. The Mayan civilization lasted from about 2600 BC to its decline around 900 AD or roughly 3500 years according to...

https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibi ... 09eng.html

They believed the world was created around 3100 BC. So, the question is: Why did they need a word for a period of time of 64 million years? Although they were accomplished astronomers they demonstrated no understanding of the modern view of the universe where such time intervals may arise.

below not included in long count:
alatun = 20 kinchiltun = 64,000,000 years (!)
kinchiltun = 20 calabtun = 3,200,000 years
calabtun = 20 pictun = 160,000 years
pictun = 20 baktun = 8,000 years

LONG COUNT = baktun.katun.tun.uinal.kin
baktun = 20 katun = 400 years = 144000 days
katun = 20 tun = 20 years = 7200 days
tun = 18 uinal = 1 year = 360 days
uinal = 20 kin = 1 month = 20 days
kin = 1 day = 1 day = 1 day

[tornitore45]

Some Neanderthal must have figured that his left pinky was not the 11th symbol of the system (0 through 9) but was next digit in the positional system.
And that was even before the Zero was invented (discovered?)

[NP317]

I never figured out why the "ten fingers" idea didn't lead to base 11 instead of base 10.

Perhaps because you can't easily count by elevens with your two hands...
RussN

[rmac]

Perhaps because you can't easily count by elevens with your two hands...

Yeah, maybe. It sure is a goofy thing to consider, especially since we don't even know for sure if the "ten fingers" thing was what actually led to the popularity of the base 10 system. And even if it was, a lot how you think about it depends (as Mauro noted) on how (or if) you are inclined think about zero.

-- Russell Mac

[mklotz]

A symbol for zero has been around for a long time. The Egyptians had one (nefer) as early as 1740 BCE. The Maya had a zero as a digit in their vigesimal system.

[tornitore45]

Sure, but the Neanderthal probably did not have the symbol for zero, on the other hand I doubt they had the notion for the positional system.
All this was in jest anyway. I am stuck near Buffalo surrounded by ice and goofing online seems the smartest option. Either that or go salting the driveway.

[Bill Shields]

Or eating wings....

[mklotz]

Feeble attempts at humor aside, remember that the obvious superiority of the metric system doesn't depend on the fact that we use a base ten number system.

In a number system with base N, it's always possible to multiply or divide by N by simply moving the N-point. The features of the metric system that make it superior could be implemented in any number system.