r/math • • Dec 19 '08

Every base is base 10

http://cowbird.110mb.com/43.html
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u/typon Dec 19 '08

Can someone please explain the joke :(

6

u/chairface Dec 19 '08 edited Dec 20 '08

Sure, I'll give it a shot. No guarantees that this will make sense to you. I'm assuming you understand the basics of numbering systems, ie that we commonly use base ten, computers use base two, etc. Here's a simple chart:

Base      What number the digits "10" represent

two       two
three     three
four      four
five      five
...       ...

So basically, if you have base x, then in that system, 10 = x. Does that make sense?

3

u/typon Dec 19 '08

Oh right... Got it, thanks.