The Babylonians stole the idea of base60 (sexagesimal) mathematics from them.

The system was later adopted by Babylonian astronomers and through them is embedded in today’s measurement of time: the “1:12:33” on a computer clock means 1 (x 60-squared) second + 12 (x 60) seconds + 33 seconds.

And if you think that’s the only thing that hasn’t changed in a shitpot of time:

With some tablets the answers are stated without any explanation, giving the impression that they were for show, a possession designed to make the owner seem an academic.

How many books on one’s shelf fit that description?

Tags: math, semerian, sexagesimal

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 11:30.