Brian Roemmele(@BrianRoemmele):How did Sumerian base 60 math come about? You have to hand it to them… They used the knuckles and bones on the four fingers of one hand to count to 12, and then the five fingers on the other hand to count till 12 * 5 = 60. Using the thumb as a pointer, you can count the 12 bones on the other four fingers (4 fingers * 3 bones). This system is still used in many regions of Asia.

Brian Roemmele

@BrianRoemmele

we can only see what we think is possible...

Joined January 2010

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Brian Roemmele@BrianRoemmele

2026.09.26 05:37

How did Sumerian base 60 math come about? You have to hand it to them… They used the knuckles and bones on the four fingers of one hand to count to 12, and then the five fingers on the other hand to count till 12 * 5 = 60. Using the thumb as a pointer, you can count the 12 bones on the other four fingers (4 fingers * 3 bones). This system is still used in many regions of Asia.