What is so important about the number ten and the metric system?

Answer 1

Metric is measured in units of 10. All calculations of metrics have to do with some combination of 10. In the old English measurements, the units related to each other in more complex ways, and had no one number to standardize the relationship. Metrics does away with learning complex units by always using some measure of 10.

Answer 2

Probably because there are 10 digits (8 fingers and 2 thumbs) in total on our hands - the most likely reason we use a place value system based on the number 10.

Metric just uses the place value system of every day use which most [Westerners] learn from a very early age.

If we used a sexagesimal system (based on the number 60) like the Babylonians did (and we still do in expressing time in hours:minutes:seconds, and angles in degrees minutes' seconds'') it would make for some much easier maths as 60 has many more factors than 10 (12 as opposed to 4) in particular the factors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6, except for the need for 60 different symbols for each digit. The old UK pound predecimalisation used to have 12 pence (12d) in one shilling, 5 shillings in one crown (making one crown 60d) and 20 shillings in one pound (making 1 pound 240d); 1 old penny used to weight 1/240 lb = 1 pennyweight (1 dwt) so that £1 in pennies used to weigh 1 lb (= 240 dwt).

Answer 3

The system of counting we use in everyday life is called base ten. This means that we count in tens, we have ten symbols to represent numbers; 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. With these ten symbols we can represent any number. To do this we place the symbols in a certain order, unlike writing words numbers start on the right and move to the left. The first symbol represents units, the numbers zero to nine, if there's a second symbol to the left of this it represents tens, from ten to ninety, a third would be hundreds, then thousands and so on.

The metric system also uses base ten, unlike older systems that use random bases, ie inches use base 12, 12 inches in a foot. Because metric uses the same framework as normal counting it makes the calculations much simpler.

Answer 4

The number forms the base for the metric system.

Answer 5

In most cases, the measurement units of different orders of magnitude, around the basic unit, are related to one another by factors or multiples of 10.

Answer 6

Deka is an example.

Answer 7

yes, it is.

Answer 8

none of your business