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Vigesimal for Dummies

pronunciation: vɪ'dʒɛsɪməl

What does Vigesimal really mean?

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Vigesimal is a word that is used to describe a number system or a counting system. Okay, don't worry, I will explain it to you in the easiest way possible, without making it complicated. So, imagine if we had to count, but instead of using the numbers we are used to, like 1, 2, 3, and so on, we used a different set of numbers. In vigesimal counting system, instead of having the number 10 as our base, we have 20 as our base. That means, when we count, we only have 20 numbers before we have to start using a new set of numbers.

Now, let's say you were counting your toys. If you had a vigesimal counting system, you would count your toys like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and then you would start over with a new set of numbers. It's similar to how we have to start over when we reach the number 9 in our regular counting system. But in vigesimal, we would start over after 20, just like we start over after 9.

To make it even clearer, let's think about how we write numbers. In our regular counting system, we use 10 digits, which are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. But in vigesimal, we would need more digits because we count up to 20 before starting over. So, we would use the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J. These are the digits that are used in the vigesimal counting system.

I hope that makes sense to you! To sum it up, vigesimal is a way of counting where we use a base of 20 instead of 10 like we normally do. It means we have a counting system that goes up to 20 before starting over with a new set of numbers. So, next time you come across the word "vigesimal," you'll know it has something to do with counting and using a base of 20! Isn't it fascinating how different number systems can be?


Revised and Fact checked by Megan Brown on 2023-10-29 23:21:41

Vigesimal In a sentece

Learn how to use Vigesimal inside a sentece

  • In vigesimal counting system, the number 14 is represented as one ten and four units.
  • Some ancient civilizations used vigesimal numeral system instead of our familiar decimal system.
  • A vigesimal clock has twenty hours in a day, with each hour divided into twenty minutes.
  • The Maya civilization used a vigesimal calendar system with a cycle of 260 days.
  • In a vigesimal base, counting up to 20 is similar to counting up to 10 in our decimal system.

Vigesimal Pertains To

Words to which the original word is relevant

twenty