(Didn’t know if the flair is suppose to be mathematics or biology)
In: Mathematics
It’s because we’re hardwired to recognise and remember patterns and even numbers tend to be more easily remembered as you visionise it as a pattern.
It might have to do with the common exaggerated fear for odd numbers.
Imparnumerophobia (from Latin impar, “odd”, and numerus, “number”) is the fear of odd numbers. Imparnumerophobes would make sure everything they do is even, like the amount of foods eaten. Some sufferers may bear less of the odd numbers whose sum of the digits is an even number, like 13 (1+3=4), than odd numbers that sum up to odd number, like 25 (2+5=7). Few sufferers may not unbear odd numbers divisible by a certain number, like by 3 or 5. Taken from phobia.wiki
I don’t have this feeling – I always wanted to have more prezise numbers because most of the time 19 is to quiet and 20 is loud is as hell so a 19.7 would be nice.
I disagree with your premise. I think the volume is set to a level that’s comfortable. Brightness is set once and never seen again. I think you’re presenting the exception as the rule here.
On the contrary, I’ve noticed that the spokes (or whatever the formal name is) on car wheels and the number of bolts are often different. They are both frequently odd numbers. Five bolts are every common; I saw a five bolt, seven spoke today.
Once you start noticing, it’s hard to not do so.
As others have pointed out, it’s not actually a human thing, or rather not a generally human thing, but a specifically YOU human thing. You have a predisposition for even numbers so you notice when people tend to do that. I would say most people have the same predisposition because even numbers are a part of human beings. 2 eyes, 10 fingers, etc. but as others have mentioned it is not a universal thing and some people have a tendency the other way or even other particular counting habits.
Tree, bush, large rock and other groupings on lawns are usually in odd numbered groups because it looks better to us. If you look up “groups of odd numbered items” you will see it is used in both indoor and outdoor design.
Also, I think that may be a personal preference as I have never adjusted a number on equipment to be even or odd for that reason.
Latest Answers