[aclug-L] Re: Linux for TRS-80

[Jonathan Hall <jonhall@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

59048.  Use trinary.  Since each finger is jointed, it is possible to use a
three-digit system.

0 = finger folded down entirely
1 = half extended, half folded down
2 = fully extended

(BTW, in Trinary, 18 is the middle finger fully extended)


For those with really limber fingers, quadary might be possible on the 4
fingers (thumbs are only jointed once, so could not be used).  This would
allow a person to count up to 65535 on their fingers.  If they then use
their two thumbs as trinary digits as well (a hybrid trinary/quadary
counting system), you could get up to 524287 using only your fingers and
thumbs.

If you want to get really sophisticated, you could add significance to the
placement and orientation of the hands as well, and still possibly qualify
as "counting on your fingers."


On Tue, Apr 02, 2002 at 08:51:15AM -0600, Wilner, Alden wrote:
> You're right. It takes both hands. Direction doesn't matter. One middle
> finger will be the 4's bit, the other will be 128.
> 
> Trivia question! How high can you count on your fingers?
> 
> Answer: 1023, if you use binary.
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jonathan Hall [mailto:jonhall@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 11:59 PM
> > To: discussion@xxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: [aclug-L] Re: Linux for TRS-80
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I don't think you can do that with 5 digits.
> > 
> > 
> > On Mon, Apr 01, 2002 at 03:56:20PM -0600, Wilner, Alden wrote:
> > > Uh, no, either hand, actually.
> > > 
> > > And if you flash someone 132 (0x84, 1000100b), be prepared 
> > to run away
> > > really fast...
> > > 
> <snip>
> 
> 
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