7
$\begingroup$

This question about past cultures using non-base-10 systems is quite popular. The meat of the question was:

Have any non decimal numbering systems been used frequently in the past? If so, what were they?

I could see an argument for this question being categorized as a "big list" and "too broad," and therefore should be closed. Sure, there is a single answer of "yes there have been," but the question asks for examples of such cultures.

On the other hand, I think the history of bases is interesting and I want to read more.

Would it be useful for our community to describe why this should be on topic?

$\endgroup$

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
5
$\begingroup$

I agree I was a bit worried about it when I saw how many answers there were - and clearly there is scope for more similar answers to turn up.

Might it work better if there was a collated answer summarising all the others?

$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

Yes I think it is on topic - "History of Mathematics" surely?

But yes it is a bit of a "big list" question.

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ In my experience big list questions are typically closed. Why should this one remain open? $\endgroup$
    – BMS
    Oct 30, 2014 at 20:05
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I can be on topic but still be a big list. Perhaps it should be re-worded to not be a big list? $\endgroup$
    – winwaed
    Oct 30, 2014 at 20:23
  • $\begingroup$ @winwaed I agree, it shouldn't take much to reword the question to put a greater emphasis on the history aspect $\endgroup$
    – user22
    Oct 30, 2014 at 21:34
0
$\begingroup$

Lock it for history reasons. It's not good but it's a valued question, but be clear that those questions are frowned upon.

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .