Why Our Counting System is Biased?

Our counting system is biased because it’s built on 10, not because 10 is special, but because we have 10 fingers.

Imagine you're playing with blocks and you decide to count them like this: every time you reach 10, you put a new block on top. That's how our counting system works, it’s like we’re using our hands to count! But what if someone only had 5 fingers? Then they’d probably use a system based on 5.

• If you have 10 fingers, it makes sense to use base 10.
• But some people use base 20, like if they count with their hands and feet!
• Others use base 60, which is why we still have minutes and seconds in our clocks.

So the way we count isn’t special. It’s just a habit, like wearing shoes every day, it feels natural, but there are other ways to walk! Our counting system is biased because it’s built on 10, not because 10 is special, but because we have 10 fingers.

Imagine you're playing with blocks and you decide to count them like this: every time you reach 10, you put a new block on top. That's how our counting system works, it’s like we’re using our hands to count! But what if someone only had 5 fingers? Then they’d probably use a system based on 5.