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Basically because people have ten fingers. Humans understand base ten and are more familiar with it than other number bases. This hasn't always been the case though. In my country England, we used the base 12 system of pounds shillings and denari up until 1972. I learned the times tables up to the 12 times table specifically for the purpose of being comfortable with that number base.
Why did England use base 12? Well that was a left over from the Roman period. You see the Romans used base 12 because it was easily divisible by many other numbers which made dividing equal shares in money easier. So for them it actually had purpose.
Another reason for base 10 is simplicity of numbers. If i have 100 pennies in base ten...
... but I use binary to write it down it would be the binary number 1100100 !
Can you imagine going into a shop and asking for "one, one, oh, oh, one,oh,oh's" worth of sweets?
You could go the other way and use a larger base number like base 16, and on paper our 100 pennies becomes 64 hex, a much smaller number, but then you would have to teach everyone how to perform mathematics in base sixteen. If they wanted to use their fingers to do the addition in base 16 you would also need to get them to grow another six fingers or use their toes.
I don't know about you but the thought of a class of school children in a maths class with their socks off turns my stomach, and would probably result in less healthy teachers
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Where are decimals used in the real world?
Money.
Where are decimals used?
Decimals are used in time,money,kilograms,litres,grams, petrol and many more but I haven't found out what they are yet but if I have I will write them on the site to you.
Why are decimals easier to compare than fractions?
Because decimals are a form you use regularly like with money, but with fractions, its not used all the time such as a decimal is used.
Why learn decimals?
When learning money,there will be decimals
Why do you use decimals?
decimals are most commonly seen in money.
Where are decimals used in the real world?
Money.
Were do you use decimals in life?
Decimals are used in money. There is a real difference between a 1.99 and 199.00.
How are decimals used everyday?
Money in a library distance
Where are decimals used?
Decimals are used in time,money,kilograms,litres,grams, petrol and many more but I haven't found out what they are yet but if I have I will write them on the site to you.
Why are decimals easier to compare than fractions?
Because decimals are a form you use regularly like with money, but with fractions, its not used all the time such as a decimal is used.
Why learn decimals?
When learning money,there will be decimals
What are 5 ways to use decimals in everyday life?
Decimals are used when you are displaying a stop watch and time. Decimals are used you are counting money. They are used when gas stations display gas prices. They are used on receipts for purchases. They are also used when you are telling someone's weight.
When do you use decimals in life?
You can use decimals in money.
What do decimals help you with in math?
It helps you with money because Decimals and money are almost the same thing.
How you use decimals in your daily lives?
money uses decimals
Why do you use decimals?
decimals are most commonly seen in money.
Besides money what else do you use decimals for?
There are many ways that people use decimals. One may encounter decimals when weighing fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Decimals are also often used when keeping time, during a track meet or a marathon, for instance.
