Finger Systems

Finger systems --- Signing --- Days in a month --- Chisenbop --- Multiplication --- Up to 100,000

When starting on number work, most of us start by counting on our fingers. This must have been true throughout history, as we have ten fingers, and base ten is so common in early number systems. In fact, a single symbol within a number is called a digit, and this word comes from the Latin for finger, digitus. So fingers are the oldest calculating machines.

• Signing numbers with hands
  
• Days in months
  
• Chisenbop counting
  
• Multiply by nine, or by six, seven, eight or nine
  
• Count up to 100,000 on one hand
  

© Jo Edkins 2007 - Return to Numbers index