Basic College Mathematics (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134467795
ISBN 13: 978-0-13446-779-5

Chapter 1 - Whole Numbers - 1.1 Reading and Writing Whole Numbers - 1.1 Exercises - Page 8: 12

Answer

Digit, in Latin, means finger or toe. As humans evolved basic counting and place holding structures, our digits (toes and fingers) were most convenient. Since we have 10 of both fingers and toes, we use a base 10 system.

Work Step by Step

1. Observation of number of fingers and toes. 2. Latin derivation of the word digit. 3. Synthesis of knowledge.
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