In decimal counting, the Fibonacci numbers repeat the sequence of the last digit over a period of 60. Every other number system with base less than 14, repeats in less than half of this (often 24). Base Period of last digit of Fibonnacci Numbers 2 3 3 8 4 6 5 20 6 24 (last two digits too) 7 16 8 12 9 24 10 60 (unusually big) 11 10 12 24 (last two digits too) 13 28 14 48 Karl Palmen |
I heard that some cultures prefered to use the hexadecimal system because they didn't count their fingers on their hands. But instead, they counted with one hand using one thumb to touch on the finger tips and the bends at their finger joints. (There are 16 points on each human hand, hence a hexidecimal system.) However, the decimal system became so wide spread internationally that it dominates now.
I heard about this over twenty years ago from my high school teacher. I don't know his source of this information. I am wondering if any wikipedians out there can confirm this.
If the counting finger-joints technique were more prevailing than counting fingers, human society could have adopted the hexadecimal system which is much better compatible with binary computers nowadays.
The ancient Mayan civilization used base 20 in their numbering system. Their numeric symbols denote values from 0 to 19. (source: http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~mills/maya.htm)
So perhaps the article on number systems should mention it?
Looks like human are attracted to the power of 2 and astronmonical periods and our fingers and toes.
A old British pound = 20 shillings one old shilling = 12 pences
20 and 12 can still be explained, but 1 mile = 1760 yards??? how did they come up with that number?
Have you heard the story about how the butt size of the Roman horses decided the rail guage in the current US railroad system?
Base Period of last digit of Fibonnacci Numbers 2 3 3 8 4 6 5 20 6 24 (last two digits too) 7 16 8 12 9 24 10 60 (unusually big) 11 10 12 24 (last two digits too) 13 28 14 48