The name "dozen" is a reference to the duodecimal notation, which was common in the past. In other words, dozens are counted.
How did the duodecimal system come about?
Previously, dozens were used together with dozens. As a confirmation of this fact, we can recall the number of months in a year, the number of zodiac signs (including in the Chinese calendar), etc. Another example of the use of this system is the English system of measuring and calculating time. There are 12 lines in an inch, and 72 points in a line. One day consists of two time intervals, each of which represents 12 hours. An hour is divided into 60 minutes, a minute - by 60 seconds. Moreover, all these numbers can be whole, without a remainder divided by 12 and all this is not accidental. The number 12 is the base of the duodecimal number system.
The birthplace of this system is considered the ancient historical region of Sumer. The fingers on her hands served as the basis for her. If you count all the phalanges (except for the thumbs of both hands), then you get 12 in total. This is especially obvious if you count the phalanges with the thumb of the same hand, touching them. People used phalanxes as the simplest version of accounts.
In Europe, to this day, it is customary to bend your fingers during counting, and in Sumer, the current amount was simply fixed with your thumb, starting with the index finger. It is known that there are peoples in Tibet, Nigeria, who still use the duodecimal system.There is another, but not widespread theory of the origin of this system. Its essence lies in the fact that the counting was carried out by bending the fingers, as well as using both legs.
All over the world, attempts have repeatedly been made to switch to the 12th system. For example, in 1944, a special community called “Dozenal Society Of America” appeared in America, it still exists. This community includes people who use arithmetic every day, for example, mathematicians, teachers, engineers, etc. Their goal is to make the 12th system more popular.
System Benefits and the Origin of a Dozen
I wonder what is the advantage of this system, if the number 10 and its derivatives surround people everywhere? It's all about dividers. The number 10 can be divided without a remainder using four digits: 1, 2, 5 and 10. The number 12 has more divisors, namely: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. It seems that there are no special advantages from this. But if you look at the situation from the side of fractions, then the difference becomes obvious. For example, in the decimal system, 1/6 = 0.1666667, and in the 12th system, 1/6, = 0.2. This is due to the fact that instead of unity, the number 1.2 is taken. Simplified numbers are obtained with other examples of fractions: 1/4, 1/3, etc.
Thus, it is possible, for example, to divide a thing equally into six, four, three. With the help of this system, simple mathematical calculations in the household sphere become even simpler. There are no particular shortcomings in this system, except that you need to get used to it.
What is a dozen?
A dozen is a counting measure for identical items, which is often used in the field of trade, and is equal to the number 12. In written Russian, the word "dozen" appeared in the 17th century. It is believed that it is borrowed from foreign languages.Namely - it is derived from the French word douzaine, Italian - dozzina. These words came from the Latin - duodecim, which means the combination of "two" and "ten".
Interesting fact: Despite the use of the decimal system, a dozen are still used in various industries. For example, sets of cutlery, dishes, furniture are made for 12 people. In grocery stores (especially the UK, USA) they prefer to sell eggs and other goods in packages of 12 pieces, as well as 6 and 24, which is also associated with a dozen.
Ten fingers and toes, 100 centimeters in one meter, 10 millimeters in one centimeter, etc. Since 10 digits of characters are used in everyday life, the DSOA community came up with two special characters to designate them 11 - X and 12 - E. They are pronounced as decks and el, respectively.
Short answer
The name "dozen" is associated with the duodecimal system that was used before, and the word itself means the number 12. The decimal system is practically used all over the world, but there are many supporters of the 12th. It is believed that it is more convenient, since the number 12 has more divisors (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12) than 10 (1, 2, 5, and 10). The finger counting system is also simplified. You can use four fingers on the hand, and the fifth (large), to count the phalanges - a total of 12.
