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M Roberts wrote:
I never really appreciated the English system of measure until I started doing a lot of construction. In this instance, the English system is a very logical and useful way to do things. You can use fractions without a calculator. The real strength however is the use of 3-4-5 triangles for squaring large structures. Also for calculating rise and run of different roof pitches. My guess is the base 12 system has it's origins in the guilds and cathedral builders of old.
Nawh, it goes back a little further than that. http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/HistTopics/Babylonian_numerals.html
And if you could imagine trying to build such structures without a tape measure. You could notch a stick to get a consistent inch, but long stretches would best be measured with flags or knots on a string. Very easy to double the string to find the middle, then double it again to get a fourth. Somewhat more difficult to get tenths.
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,|"|"|, Ernest Christley |
----===<{{(oQo)}}>===---- Dyke Delta Builder |
o| d |o http://ernest.isa-geek.org |
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