On Tue, 04 Apr 2017 08:11:24 +0100, Mike Fleming wrote:

> In article , Folderol
>  writes:
>
>> On Mon, 3 Apr 2017 10:56:41 -0400 rickman  wrote:
>>
>> > There is nothing good about Imperial measures.
>>
>> There is, in a sharing community - maybe you're not familiar with
>> those.
>>
>> Base 12 counting is perfect for divvying out portions - especially when
>> you don't have access to accurate measuring systems (like a picnic).
>> The only numbers that are awkward for a small group are 5 and 7.
>
> And so is base 14 (lb/stone), base 16 (oz/lb), base 8 (pts/gall), base 3
> (feet/yard), and base 20 (cwt/ton). They're all perfect for division.
> And dividing something long up by 12 is so easy when you just have to
> measure a number of feet and decimal part of a foot to get the length to
> be divided, then measure each portion in inches and decimal parts of
> inches. Fantastic.

Also the benefit for education.

there was no need to explain number bases to children as they progressed
to higher mathematics as they were already familiar with the concept
through their pocket money. 12 penny's to the shilling, 20 schillings to
the pound & any 5 5 year old could happily work with it (even if they
were lucky to get more than tuppence ha'penny for pocket money :-) )
(that said I don't want to go back to pre decimal coinage)



--
You know you're a little fat if you have stretch marks on your car.
  -- Cyrus, Chicago Reader 1/22/82

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