If I cut something into 3 equal pieces, there are 3 defined pieces. But, 1÷3= .333333~. Why is the math a nonstop repeating decimal when existence allows 3 pieces? Is the assumption that it’s physically impossible to cut something into 3 perfectly even pieces?

Question

If I cut something into 3 equal pieces, there are 3 defined pieces. But, 1÷3= .333333~. Why is the math a nonstop repeating decimal when existence allows 3 pieces? Is the assumption that it’s physically impossible to cut something into 3 perfectly even pieces?

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

You are touching at the fringes of numbering systems.

When I was taking some networking classes we took 20 minutes to look at Hex and Opt (16 and 8) based numbering systems then we dived into binary.

I went home with this swimming in my head kind of fascinated with the idea.

I spent a few weeks screwing around and arrived at a very fascinating conclusion.

1) There is nothing magical or special about decimal. Nothing. We have 4 fingers and one thumb on each hand – we picked 10 done and done. Not only is it not magical or special it also isn’t really that great.

2) Other number systems are incredibly efficient when utilized properly.

My instinct (cause I am not as gifted in math as I wish I was) is that in a tertiary based system you would always come out with even answers – but when cutting something into half you would run into a problem!