Emperor Harkonnen Posted May 4, 2008 Author Share Posted May 4, 2008 Do they use their own numbers as well? I have seen them using the same numbers as us in Japan, but wasn't there some other kind of system before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandChigger Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 :OThis is one of those "Ever sift sand in a sieve?" feints, isn't it? Isn't it? :DYes, there are characters for the numbers as well, but they also use Arabic numerals...maybe not as much as the Japanese (who also use the character versions). I'd post examples but IIRC this boardware isn't Unicode friendly.The modern Japanese writing system is fascinating: it can combine at least six different "scripts" in a single text: Kanji (Chinese characters), Hiragana (cursive syllabary), Katakana (angular syllabary), Arabic numerals, Roman alphabet, and various symbols and punctuation. The complexity of the system makes the high literacy rate all the more impressive.But, as was the original point, it's something which requires years of study and a lot of hard work. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Harkonnen Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 So is this system with 10 numbers as basis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandChigger Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 So is this system with 10 numbers as basis? Yep. Base 10, but with unit groupings every 4 digits, instead of every 3 as in most Western languages.We gounits 1tens 10hundreds 100thousands (= unit thousands) 1,000ten thousands 10,000hundred thousands 100,000unit millions 1,000,000 (At least in the US)ten millions 10,000,000hundred millions 100,000,000etc. They gounits 1tens 10hundreds 100thousands 1000unit ten-thousands 1,0000ten ten-thousands 10,0000hundred ten-thousands 100,0000thousand ten-thousands 1000,0000etc.Of course, they write the numbers the same way we do, which makes it very confusing. For personal use, I usually write them as I have above, with the comma every four places. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Harkonnen Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 Thanks, this made it very clear. Strange that they also developped a numerical system with 10 just like the arabic system we use(or is it indian?)I think the mayan or aztecs had something like 60 as base in their system... also the babylonians had some other number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandChigger Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Thanks, this made it very clear.One is pleased to be of service. :)Strange that they also developped a numerical system with 10 just like the arabic system we use(or is it indian?)Why do you think that? Looked at your hands lately? ;)I think the mayan or aztecs had something like 60 as base in their system... also the babylonians had some other number.I don't know anything about the Mayan or Aztec systems, but the Sumerians and Babylonians used Base 60...it's somehow connected with why we still divide circles and hours by that number, but I forget the details. That sort of thing happens when you lose your hair...more cosmic rays get through and mess with the synapses. ... Where did that tinfoil hat get to? ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunenewt Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Why do you think that? Looked at your hands lately? ;)I wonder if Austrians might start counting with base 12 soon then? Cookie to whoever gets the reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFlibble Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Austrians now have 6 fingers on each hand? ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunenewt Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Well, think of why they might have 6 fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFlibble Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Horrible mutation? So Austria's got to store other countries' nuclear waste in it's soil? Or is it the effect of genetically engineered potatoes in their diet? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunenewt Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 No, think of recent events... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khan Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Fetzel! You're a sick puppy 'newt. God bless you mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunenewt Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I knew I could rely on you to get what I was on about... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egeides Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I love your subtle ways Newt :DThe Babylonian's 60 would look like it's from 12 (12*5), which fits for clocks. And it's the first multiple of 12 which is also of 10 (more practical? I thought maybe "12" is practical for antiquity's small-scale operations, and 10/60 for larger scale). But I've found a better answer from a great website:The second point to make is that modern mathematicians were not the first to ask such questions. Theon of Alexandria tried to answer this question in the fourth century AD and many historians of mathematics have offered an opinion since then without any coming up with a really convincing answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Harkonnen Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 I knew I could rely on you to get what I was on about... ;)What has that to do with 6 fingers? I don't get it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunenewt Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Well what is the most recent (in)famous thing to happen in Austria... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egeides Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 hadn't thought that recent... I conquer with Khan :OBack on topic: "I wouldn't try neither encourage" is a sure grammar bet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Harkonnen Posted May 9, 2008 Author Share Posted May 9, 2008 Well what is the most recent (in)famous thing to happen in Austria...I know which thing you mean, but I still don't get it. does "6 fingers" have some special meaning or..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandChigger Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Was there some mention of polydactyly in connection with the children?The Japanese media and CNNj reported that one of the children had died young and one was "not normal", but I didn't catch any specifics.(Or are you just being funny? ;) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFlibble Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Allright Dunenewt, you got me. I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, and I give up :) You can write the answer in hidden text or send me PM ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunenewt Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Look closer in my previous posts, I've already placed hidden links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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