15/08/2025
๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก
Ever stop to wonder why we divide time into increments of 60, or why a circle has 360 degrees? The answer lies in ancient Mesopotamia! The brilliant Babylonians, who thrived thousands of years ago, developed a sophisticated number system based on 60, not 10 like our modern decimal system.
Why 60? Well, 60 is a highly composite number, meaning it has many divisors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60). This made it incredibly convenient for dividing and working with fractions, essential for their advanced astronomy, engineering, and trade.
Imagine doing all your calculations with base 60! It might seem strange at first, but their system was so effective that its influence persists to this day. From the minutes and seconds on our clocks to the degrees we use to navigate the globe , we're still living with the legacy of Babylonian math.