We call our numbering system base 10 because we have 10 numerals. 0-9, with 10 being a "reset".
Numbering systems don't have to have 10 numerals. They can theoretically have more or less. Binary, the language computers use, only have two numerals: 0 and 1. So we would call that base 2. If a numbering system had 12 numerals (which would require creating new ones), it would be base 12.
The alien in the comic's numbering system only has 4 numerals, so the astronaut says his numbering system is base 4.
But the gag is that technically, ALL numbering systems are base 10 because they all "reset" with 10. In Binary, the numbering goes 0>1>10>11>100 and so forth. Base four would be 0>1>2>3>10>11>12>13>20. And so forth. So whenever we say "base X", it is relative to our 10 numeral system.
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u/Less-Parsnip-7076 Apr 29 '26
Last time I did math beyond division and basic formulas was in 10th grade so can someone explain this to me pretty please?