On Sun, 3 May 2009 20:48:57 -0400, Nancy Young wrote:

> dsi1 wrote:
>> Sqwertz wrote:
>>> dsi1 > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Sqwertz wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> It also follows the common base-10 logic used by everyone: Most
>>>>> significant number first.
>>>> This is probably true in any base number system.
>>>
>>> The second most import number system in use today? Binary.
>>> LSB first.
>
>> It could be that binary is the most important number system since it
>> makes computers possible. Humans can work with all types of numbering
>> systems - microprocessors cannot. Base 10 is mostly something we
>> choose arbitrarily.
>
> Well, it's such a nice round number!
>
> nancy

my understanding is that it arose from the normal complement of fingers and
thumbs:

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decimal#Decimal_notation>

your pal,
blake