This makes for a confusing system, the details of which we will skip. Shortcut 1: If b is a power of c ( b cn) or the other way around ( c bn ), then convert the digits in groups. The days of the year were thought to be gods, so the formal symbols for the days were decorated heads, like the sample to the left Since the basic calendar was based on 360 days, the priestly numeral system used a mixed base system employing multiples of 20 and 360. For the priests, the number system was governed by ritual. Not only did these two systems use different symbols, they also used different base systems. Assyro-Chaldean Babylonian cuneiform numerals were written in cuneiform, using a wedge-tipped reed stylus to make a mark on a soft clay tablet which would be exposed in the sun to harden to create a permanent record. There were two numeral systems developed by the Mayans-one for the common people and one for the priests. Another important source of information on the Mayans is the writings of Father Diego de Landa, who went to Mexico as a missionary in 1549. In fact, much of what we know about this culture comes from their calendar records and astronomy data. The calendar, and calculations related to it, were thus very important to the ritual life of the priestly class, and hence the Mayan people. This class of priests developed a philosophy with time as divine and eternal. The Mayans had a sophisticated ritual system that was overseen by a priestly class. The Mayans used a vigesimal (base 20) number system, the Babylonians used a sexagesimal (base 60) number system, and the Egyptians used a duo-decimal (base. The Yucatan Peninsula (see figure 16 ) in Mexico was the scene for the development of one of the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world. The Mayan civilization is generally dated from 1500 BCE to 1700 CE. In this chapter, we wrap up with a specific example of a civilization that actually used a base system other than 10. The Babylonians used a base-sixty (sexigesimal) system. For example, the Natives of Queensland used a base-two system, counting as follows: “one, two, two and one, two two’s, much.” Some Modern South American Tribes have a base-five system counting in this way: “one, two, three, four, hand, hand and one, hand and two,” and so on. However, other civilizations have had a variety of bases other than ten. Our own base-ten system probably arose from the fact that we have 10 fingers (including thumbs) on two hands. Use two different methods for converting numbers between basesĪs you might imagine, the development of a base system is an important step in making the counting process more efficient.Identify bases that have been used in number systems historically.Become familiar with the history of positional number systems.

Babylonian numerals addition