• reiseno_@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      18
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 month 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
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        1 month 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.

          • dukatos@lemm.ee
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            1 month ago

            I can count to 1023 using both hands but only to 31 using one.

        • teft@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 month 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 month 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…