Every body needs them. The Babylonian system of mathematics wassexagesimal (base 60) numeral system. From this we derive themodern day usage of 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour,and 360 degrees in a circle. The Babylonians were able to makegreat advances in mathematics for two reasons. Firstly, the number60 is a superior highly composite number, having factors of 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60 (including those that arethemselves composite), facilitating calculations with fractions.Additionally, unlike the Egyptians and Romans, the Babylonians hada true place-value system, where digits written in the left columnrepresented larger values (much as in our base ten systems: 734 =7?100 + 3?10 + 4?1). The Sumerians and Babylonians were pioneers inthis respect.

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