How do you write 72 in babylonian numerals?

Answer 1

To convert to a new base:

1. divide the number by the new base to get a whole quotient and a remainder;

2. note the remainder

3. replace the number by the quotient

4. if the number is not zero repeat from step 1.

5. the remainders in reverse order is the number in the new base.

Babylonian numbers are written using base 60, thus:

72 ÷ 60 = 1 r 12

1 × 60 = 0 r 1

→ 72 in base 60 is 1 : 12

The Babylonians would write this as 1 one-wedge followed (after a small gap) by 1 ten-wedge with 2 one-wedges (these 3 wedges grouped together).