Stephen Davis wrote me on 2002-01-06:

>The argument, from my point of view, anyhow, was not about bases but how
>much easier numbers divide by 10!!
>
>Have you tried to divide 1,2 and 3 by 7 and 11??
>
>Regards,
>
>Steve.
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Joseph B. Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "Stephen Davis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 3:53 PM
>Subject: Re: [USMA:17209] Re: The number twelve and the universe!!
>
>
>> Stephen Davis wrote in USMA 17209:
>>
>> >Oh, but there is, Daniel!!  Although 10 only really divides itself into 2
>> >and 5, ALL other numbers divide evenly into 10!!
>> >
>> >All numbers from one to ten and beyond divide by ten!!  Apart from 1, 2,
>3,
>> >4, 6, every number divides by 10!!
>> >
>> >Add factors of 10 to all these numbers, eg, 2/10 =0.2, 20/10=2,
>200/10=20,
>> >2000/10=200!!
>> >
>> >Try the same with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7,8, 12, 16 and see what happens!!
>> >
>> >10's closest competitor in the division stakes is 2 and it pales next to
>10,
>> >which is the ultimate factor!!
>> >
>> >Yes 10 only divides by 2 and 10, but every other number divides by 10!!
>>
>>
>>
>> This is nonsense.  Following Stephen's logic, with base 7, all numbers
>> divide by 7.  With base 11 numbers, all numbers divide by 11 and so.
>>
>> Joseph B.Reid


Steve,

I am afraid I have been too obscure.  You wrote "Have you tried to divide
1,2 and 3 by 7 and 11??".  The answers, whether you are using numbers to
the bases 7 or 10 or 11, are 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3.  In other words, by the
usual meaning of division, those numbers don't divide.  When we say that n
is divisible by d we mean that n/d is an integer, and that there is no
remainder.

Joe

Joseph B.Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto  M5P 1C8             TEL. 416-486-6071

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