x 3600

x 60

Units

Value

1

1 + 1 = 2

10

10 + 1 = 11

10 + 10 = 20

60

60 + 1 = 61

 

60 + 1 + 1 = 62

 

60 + 10 = 70

 

60 + 10 + 1 = 71

 

2 x 60 = 120

 

2 x 60 + 1 = 121

 

  

10 x 60 = 600

 

10 x 60 + 1 = 601

 

10 x 60 + 10 = 660

 

 

3600 (60 x 60)

 

 

2 x 3600 = 7200

 

There is a little Babylonian counting tutorial. One of their problem is they have no zero. I think, it is because the things they counted have no zero point, either. The Babylonian numbers rooted in endless conceptions as time and circle. There 60 minutes in an hour and 60 seconds in a minute. There are also 360 degrees in a circle. (Yes!  We’ve got it from them!)

And, as I’ve suspected, there are gaps in my knowledge of ancient history; however, here what I found on The Abelian Grape blog  :

  The ancient Chaldean (Babylonian) number system was base 60, and that, because when multiplied by the 6 sides of the earth hexagon, equals 360 degrees, the subdivision of the earth for ancient mapping which traces back to the methodology to measure the earth by the rate of precession, 72 years/degree, the number of conspirators who killed the ancient Egyptian god of the underworld, Osiris, as precession time marched on. 

   

]]>

       Since Plato   it took quite a while to mathematicians to begin to assume that there is no such a thing as “pure mathematics”. The suspicions that all derives from the Mother Nature struck them again and again. Finally, they started to catch that if mathematical rules do not explain some phenomena in the real world, they ought to be adjusted. I really want to expand it theme in a future.

Today, however, I want to start with the numbers, and not with these ones that we used to work with. The numbers are very old conception, much older than Plato, and they were invented guess for what? Exactly, for counting.  The first ones came from Babylon. They were rather different from ours, say, nothing common. It is perfectly understandable to count fingers (10 different numbers) or even holes between the fingers (8 different numbers). I have no idea what counted Babylonians, but these guys had 60 different numbers. Can you imagine studying multiplication table 60 on 60? Pure Babylonian kids, although, the numbers themselves were quite simple: they had:

So, all sixty numbers looked this way:

 

The word “mathematics” came from Greek μάθημα (máthēma), and means simply “learning” or “study”. Thus, all what kids in Ancient Greek did at schools was only math. And we are complaining?!  But then it, probably, was much easier than now.  All those guys, who invented calculus and trigonometry, yet weren’t roaming around and poisoning those kids’ existence. The focus, probably, was more on the basic math operations, such an addition, subtraction, and company.  Let’s talk about addition. By the end of elementary school, every kid is considered an expert in it, at list within one hundred.  However, I bet, you haven’t thought about some possibilities of addition before. Can you answer this, for example?

1+1=

2+2=

 Some will say “yes”, but the others will state “it depends”. “On what, for God’s sake? “ – You ask. Oh, it can depend on various things. I knew little boy, who once noticed that if you add one fox to one chicken, you most likely will not get two animals. I’ve also heard that if you mix two cups of water with two cups of alcohol, you will never receive four cups of mixture. I haven’t tried it yet, but you are welcome. So, the answer may depend on quality of the components. Can you think of something else?

       The word “mathematics” raises very various emotions. Unfortunately, most people will rather make a face than feel curiosity and excitement.  They will call it isolated, inhuman, boring, useless, unbearable,  hopeless, terrifying!  OK!  I have to admit that there are some wild beasts in the math woods, and even some scary skeletons in the closets. But I promise, I do, you will not meet any of these on this blog! So, those of you who just accidently clicked on this site, please, please, do not run away! Especially, those of you who are not “math persons” do not elope because I want to tell you something. I think, you feel so bad because you don’t know her. You, probably, have never been properly introduced to her. Let me try to start it over. Please,

Allow me present to you

her Majesty the Mathematics. 

   Oh, my! I feel so biased, but I can’t help it. There is so much feminine in it. She is expected and unpredictable, simple and enigmatic, reliant and independent, not to mention her beauty. You never know how young she is, and she always surrounded by men. You must give her chance to capture you because it’s such a pleasure!