Crunching numbers

The modern computer principally uses the binary numerical system which only uses the digits 0 and 1. There are many other numerical systems in use in today's computers namely the Octal (base 8) and the Hexadecimal (base 16) systems. Human beings prefer the Decimal system (base 10) which owes its name from the Latin word decem which means ten. Many counting systems have been invented using sticks, bones, stones and the digits of fingers. Most successful of these before the advent of the modern digital calculator is the abacus which originated in China.

The Roman numeral system was widely popular owing to the power and influence of the Roman Empire but suffered a big handicap from having to use many numerals to represent ever increasingly large numbers. The greatest breakthrough in number systems came with the invention of the number zero which made possible the capability to represent large numbers using only a few digits. The Arabic number system when invented pushed great advances in mathematics and number theory. Google is the term used to represent a very, very large number.

Numbers are not only used in computers and mathematics but also in divination called numerology. Using Arabic numbers, each digit is assigned a quality or property which describes everything under the sun. A man's future and fortune can be determined and influenced with the proper application of numerological principles.

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