How to Count to 31 on One Hand

[Arctic Fox]

A few people were asking how you do it, so here you go:



The idea is that you count in binary instead of tally. Normally when we count, each finger is worth only one, but with binary counting, the value of each finger doubles. So, your thumb is worth 1, your index finger is worth 2, your middle finger is worth 4, your ring finger is worth 8, and your little finger is worth 16. Using these numbers, we can create every possible number between 0 and 31!

To add one to the number on your hands you simply raise your thumb. If your thumb is already raised, you lower it and raise your index finger. If your index finger is already raised, you lower it and raise your middle finger, and so on.

When you extend this system to your other hand, you can count all the way to 1023 (1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + 64 + 128 + 256 + 512). People will think you are sooo cool. 8)

Consider yourself edificated! :D

[Batman's Ace]

Binary is extremely useful when lighting candles for somebody's seventy-fifth birthday. You only need to find room for seven candles on the cake.

[Robin L]

In Taiwan, we count with one hand up to nine. But when I show eight, westerners see only three.

So yeah, no matter how cool the system is, it's no use if no one else it is.

Though I might use it with computer engineers 8)

[ThaHoward]

Learned something similar when I was in the military/home guard for youth (15-18 year olds). It's quite practical, however, I think most would be confused :P Especially if you were supposed to show them 4 :P

[Arctic Fox]

In Taiwan, we count with one hand up to nine. But when I show eight, westerners see only three.

So yeah, no matter how cool the system is, it's no use if no one else it is.

Oh yeah, I think I know what you're talking about: Where you add fingers from one side, and then take them away from the other, right?

[Robin L]

I just noticed that number 4...

In Taiwan, we count with one hand up to nine. But when I show eight, westerners see only three.

So yeah, no matter how cool the system is, it's no use if no one else it is.

Oh yeah, I think I know what you're talking about: Where you add fingers from one side, and then take them away from the other, right?

It's more like this, but I don't do tens with one hand.

[Arctic Fox]

It's more like this, but I don't do tens with one hand.

Ohh, right. Yeah, that is kinda complicated (as in, there's not much of a pattern to it).

[Lord Happy Toast]

When I was in high school, I remember trying to think of counting methods to get higher than 10 while counting with my hands. Binary seemed to be the best if only judging by how high you can count with it, but it was very impractical to actually use. Something that I found somewhat more useful was to count in base 6 with my right hand being the 1's place and my left hand being the 10's place (that is, 10 base 6).

[Robin L]

It's more like this, but I don't do tens with one hand.

Ohh, right. Yeah, that is kinda complicated (as in, there's not much of a pattern to it).

I just noticed that the article is not entirely what I use, so here's a list:

1: index finger

2: index, middle

3: index, middle, ring

4: index, middle, ring, little

5: all fingers

6: thumb, little

7: thumb, index

8: thumb, index, middle

9: thumb, index, middle, ring

It makes complete sense to me...

[Batman's Ace]

When I was in high school, I remember trying to think of counting methods to get higher than 10 while counting with my hands. Binary seemed to be the best if only judging by how high you can count with it, but it was very impractical to actually use. Something that I found somewhat more useful was to count in base 6 with my right hand being the 1's place and my left hand being the 10's place (that is, 10 base 6).

I never really thought of it as a numbering system. I always figured I counted fives on one hand, and kept track of the multiples of five on the other hand, but now that you mention it, I guess it is technically a numbering system.

[Robin L]

When I was in high school, I remember trying to think of counting methods to get higher than 10 while counting with my hands. Binary seemed to be the best if only judging by how high you can count with it, but it was very impractical to actually use. Something that I found somewhat more useful was to count in base 6 with my right hand being the 1's place and my left hand being the 10's place (that is, 10 base 6).

I never really thought of it as a numbering system. I always figured I counted fives on one hand, and kept track of the multiples of five on the other hand, but now that you mention it, I guess it is technically a numbering system.

Technically numbers in base 5. ;)

Usually I use my left hand as the tens, and right hand 1-9.

[Guest]

Base 12 counting

times 5 fingers on your other hand you get to 60

[Guest]

"What time do I need to be at the school to pick up the kids again?"

*holds up the binary number four*

.... :lol:

Thanks for the pictures though. That is kind of cool. :)

[mayve]

Eh. I prefer the old fashion way. Seems complicated. :P

[A Taste of Harmony]

It's too hard. :(

[Robin L]

It's too hard. :(

I found that the math is all right, but I can't get my fingers to go correctly. :P

[Grace Barton]

And now I have learnt something new! :D

[Guest]

I knew the binary system had something to do with this. Very clever, Fox!

I had thought of counting in base-5 with hands, but I could "only" reach 25 with both hands before. Not anymore. :lol:

[Batman's Ace]

It's too hard. :(

I found that the math is all right, but I can't get my fingers to go correctly. :P

8, 9, and 10 are hard for me. Do other people find it difficult to stick out the ring finger alone?

[Philip027]

Oh good, I wasn't the only one gigglesnorting at the number 4

[Robin L]

I found a less difficult way of performing this. Fingers touching the palm are '1', and not touching is '0'. So my fingers don't have to bend in weird ways.

[SorryNotSorry]

I can count to 21 if I'm naked. :lol:

[Guest]

I found a less difficult way of performing this. Fingers touching the palm are '1', and not touching is '0'. So my fingers don't have to bend in weird ways.

Significantly reduces the pain for me in counting higher than 7, so thanks! ^_^

[Robin L]

I found a less difficult way of performing this. Fingers touching the palm are '1', and not touching is '0'. So my fingers don't have to bend in weird ways.

Significantly reduces the pain for me in counting higher than 7, so thanks! ^_^

You're welcome! I'm just glad that someone found that useful. ;)

[Arctic Fox]

8, 9, and 10 are hard for me. Do other people find it difficult to stick out the ring finger alone?

Yes, the ring finger is pretty hard.

I can count to 21 if I'm naked. :lol:

Ewwww...

[Batman's Ace]

When I was in high school, I remember trying to think of counting methods to get higher than 10 while counting with my hands. Binary seemed to be the best if only judging by how high you can count with it, but it was very impractical to actually use. Something that I found somewhat more useful was to count in base 6 with my right hand being the 1's place and my left hand being the 10's place (that is, 10 base 6).

I never really thought of it as a numbering system. I always figured I counted fives on one hand, and kept track of the multiples of five on the other hand, but now that you mention it, I guess it is technically a numbering system.

Technically numbers in base 5. ;)

Usually I use my left hand as the tens, and right hand 1-9.

I was thinking about it again today, and you can do base 6 that way. 0 on the "ones" hand and 1 on the other hand would be six. I wasn't thinking about it that way before. If you add big toes (the only ones I can move independently) you can get up to 107.