The Importance of the No. 60

As we managed to see in class, the Babylonian mathematics time table was on a sexagesimal system. Naturally, when comparing both the numbers 60 and 10, I was able to distinguish their mathematical differences between them. Sixty is divisible by all numbers 1-6 (on the other hand: 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60) whereas 10 is only divisible by 1, 2, 5 and 10 (itself) maybe making it easier to mathematically divide or use fractions. Alongside this, I remember in my chemistry classes we always used to focus on Fullerene's which are Carbon allotropes. Interestingly enough, Buckminsterfullerene has a formula of C60 and its natural composition of carbon atoms are arranged in hexagons and pentagons, both shapes being a division of 60. 

In today's world, the number 60 has also been prominent in keeping our clocks on the correct path. Each hour and minute consists of this number and both military (non-integer) and regular time (whole number) clocks are divisible with little error. We again see the significance of the number 12 in the Chinese Zodiac and use of Astrology, each category having 12 counterparts which correspond to the months in the year for astrologists and the Chinese zodiac cycle that starts over again every 12 years as well. 

Going back to my analysis above, we mentioned that the number 60 is easy to manipulate. The system of weights and measurement during the Babylonian times heavily relied on fraction amounts such as 1/3 or 2/3 and therefore it would have been easier for them to divide up items for barter using this numerical system. Alongside this, most East Asian civilizations history documents have noted the use of the Sexagenary Cycle and correspond to having 60 years to complete one cycle. Taiwan actually still uses this cycle to an extent in traditional methods of fortune-telling and ties with the Chinese new year. 

Comments

  1. Amanda FritzlanSeptember 24, 2020 at 3:28 PM

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  2. Amanda FritzlanSeptember 24, 2020 at 3:29 PM

    Margot, great connection to chemistry and carbon hexagon and benzene rings! This opens up all sorts of questions about the development of chemistry theories of atomic structure.
    P.S. Don't forget to respond soon to the first reading: Why teach math history?

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