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🎻intro to humanities review

Base 60 system

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The base 60 system, also known as sexagesimal, is a numeral system that uses sixty as its base. This ancient counting method, which originated in Mesopotamia, has influenced various aspects of mathematics and timekeeping, making it essential for understanding the achievements of early civilizations in that region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The base 60 system was primarily developed by the Sumerians around 3000 BCE and later adopted by other Mesopotamian cultures, including the Babylonians.
  2. In the base 60 system, numbers are represented using combinations of digits from 0 to 59, making calculations more complex than in simpler systems like base 10.
  3. This numeral system laid the groundwork for modern timekeeping, as evidenced by the division of an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds.
  4. The use of a base 60 system allowed for advanced mathematical concepts, such as fractions, enabling more sophisticated trade and astronomy practices in Mesopotamian civilization.
  5. Some scholars believe that the choice of sixty as a base was influenced by its factors, which include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60, allowing for easy division.

Review Questions

  • How did the base 60 system influence the mathematical practices of Mesopotamian civilization?
    • The base 60 system allowed Mesopotamians to perform complex calculations that were crucial for trade and astronomy. With a rich set of factors, this system facilitated easier divisions and multiplications compared to base systems with fewer factors. Consequently, it enabled early mathematicians to develop more advanced concepts in both arithmetic and geometry.
  • Discuss the impact of the base 60 system on modern timekeeping practices.
    • The base 60 system has had a lasting impact on modern timekeeping, evident in how we measure hours, minutes, and seconds today. Each hour is divided into 60 minutes and each minute into 60 seconds due to this ancient numeral system. This influence illustrates how early mathematical innovations have shaped contemporary life and continues to affect our daily routines.
  • Evaluate how the transition from simpler numeral systems to the base 60 system reflects broader changes in Mesopotamian society.
    • The transition to a base 60 system showcases the increasing complexity and sophistication of Mesopotamian society as it developed trade networks and engaged in astronomical observations. As societies grew more interconnected and their needs evolved—from managing resources to understanding celestial patterns—the adoption of more advanced numerical systems became essential. This shift not only reflects societal advancements but also highlights how mathematics served as a tool for economic growth and scientific discovery during that era.