In AE multiplication & division was ridiculously simple. No carrying numbers, no remainders, no tears in your early years of school.
After some investigation into their mathematical system, we can see that they used mathematic principles exactly the same as our modern day computers.
We need to know how computers work first (very basic, I promise!)
Today in normal life we use a base 10 number system. That means we have columns like so.
| 100's | 10's | 1's |
|---|
If we want to express the number 472, what we are actually saying is this.
| 100's | 10's | 1's |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 7 | 2 |
Computers use a base 2 number system, wherein they simply double the number 1 for each column, like so.
| 16's | 8's | 4's | 2's | 1's |
|---|
All you had to know to multiply or divide numbers in AE is how to double numbers and how to add two numbers together, simple! Let's have a go at it below.
We're going to do 17 x 25 only by doubling and adding numbers together.
Any number can be expressed in the binary number system used on the left below. What numbers make up 17?
1 and 16, so we circle those numbers.
| 17 | x | 25 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | 25 | |
| 2 | 50 | |
| 4 | 100 | |
| 8 | 200 | |
| (16) | 400 |
Now on the right side we simply double the stating number and circle the corresponding numbers that make up 17 like so
| 17 | x | 25 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | (25) | |
| 2 | 50 | |
| 4 | 100 | |
| 8 | 200 | |
| (16) | (400) |
Now simply do 400 +25 = 425. Why have we made this so complicated in modern times? This shit brought me to tears when I was like 7.
Division is just as straightforward. let's try it out.
We will try 1075 / 25 as an easy example.
| 1075 | / | 25 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | (25) | |
| (2) | (50) | |
| 4 | 100 | |
| (8) | (200) | |
| 16 | 400 | |
| (32) | (800) |
We just continuously double 25, circle the numbers that add up to 1075 like before, then add together the other on the right hand side.
1 + 2 + 8 + 32 = 43
1075 / 25 = 43
I should have chosen an equation that would have given the answer 42 (Good on you if you get that reference).
If it interests you here are the hieroglyphs that they used to represent their numbers, have a go yourself!
Hope you enjoyed this addition to the series.
More coming shortly!
The Previous posts in this series are:
Part II - Is the Sphinx actually 36,000 Years Old?