On May 29, 6:53 am, rtimwest <[email protected]> wrote: > Hey, > > We're sort of back to repeating the same points.
Some of us are... even to sending posts more than once;-) > 360 is a convenient number, in that it is (for a while) evenly > divisible by multiples of two, and evenly divisible by multiples of > three. That"s an interesting observation on your part. But there is much more to it than that. It is divisible by the primes 2, 3 and 5 among other things. Lest someone think this has nothing to do with TiddlyWiki, I must mention that you have to understand certain aspects of the Babylonian system, and my thinking, in order to move the next level of calculations required in the next brief that I will be giving you. (It will self-destruct after 2 NET seconds so you'll have to become au fait with it quickly.) First you have to accept the fact that there are certain things that naturally occur that are optimal in nature and physics. Things that are as ideal as the object or class of object can become and deteriorates either side of that ideal For instance the impedance of coaxial cable that carries radio frequencies is determined by the ratio of the inside conductor to the outer conductor. It naturally occurs that the losses through the cable are minimized at 75 ohms and increase markedly either side of that. That's why all cable for TVs and the like are 75 ohms Another is the maximum light gathering properties of binoculars is maximized when they are 7x50. This phenomenon is repeated throughout physics and nature over and over. The number 360 is one of those things. The numbering system to the base 60 at first seems rather large and clumsy to our eyes accustomed to base 10; but, in fact it is more simple in many ways. The decimal system uses 10 symbols which are used in various positions to represent our numbering system. The Babylonian sexagesimal system uses only two, yes (2). They pioneered the system of using the same symbol over and over in various positions to represent larger numbers. So it is related to the binary system as well as being capable of co-operating with the decimal system. Additionally 60 is the smallest number divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 so the number of divisors is maximized; and notice that four out of five of those numbers are prime numbers (if you consider 1 a prime number) Just before I close I'll mention that much of the Babylonian population were uneducated in mathematics just like much of today's population. Base 60 allowed the greatest number fractional divisions since 1/3, 1/2, 1/5 or 1/30th are visual as well as abstract numerical representations that can be seen and understood by the simplest of mind. Coupled with all the above you can see it is another one of nature's ideals. The simple minded ten fingered decimal system has corrupted us all, it is so inconsequential that the binary system was chosen over it to run computers since like the base 60 the base 2 is one of nature's ideals. Look at Pi, it was fine as a fraction like 22/7 or 223/71 the decimal guys got hold of it and are still trying to get it to come out right;-) I appreciate your willingness to work with a time system you don't believe in. And your animosity toward base sixty is obvious, so I appreciate it will take time before you are ready and open minded enough to move much further into this project ;-) I understand that you have been seduced by the evil decimal system and will take time to come around. Just remember that the decimal system was taken to sublime heights by the French with the metric system and forced upon most of the world. Keep in mind their motivation and remember also they hate everybody;-) After your suggestion I am making great strides toward getting a New Earth Time web site going. Morris;-) . --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TiddlyWiki" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/TiddlyWiki?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
