Bathtub thoughts sometimes turn to improving the scientific numbering – International System of Units. The goal is to make it so easy to do mathematical calculations about things that this new numbering system named Numplusho replaces the usual method of identifying exact numbers.
The problem with the SI system is that it requires knowing a very large number of identifying names for quantities. Each of these names is usually, but not always, three decimal places larger or smaller than its surrounding names. Our current system for putting names to numbers will someday seem as unnecessarily complicated as trying to do cube roots but stated in Roman Numerals.
The usual method is not to use those unusual names except as a shorthand way of speaking, and because the names are unusual it requires a lot of mental gymnastics to keep track of the calculations. Those SI names do sound good in some situations but they confuse everyone when there are actual calculations to be made.
The thoughts during this evening’s bath were about how to make each number obvious to its size relative to every other number without requiring the use of the difficult SI system. That requires that it be easily stated and that the statement itself makes the relative size of the number clear and easy to remember, and easy to relate to all other numbers.
Furthermore, the new system requires a name that is easy to say, and in this case the name gives the procedure for using the whole system. The word Numplusho (pronounced, num plus ho) combines three concepts into a single word.
First part – num refers to a numeral 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 but not 0. In this system all numbers begin with one of those abstract designs called numerals.
Second – plus refers to where the decimal point is to be located (the plus means the number of spaces to the right of the first numeral where it will be placed).
Third – ho refers to the size of the movement to the right. When the decimal point is to be moved to the left the word minus replaces plus and the number of spaces the decimal point is to be moved to the left is stated.
That is the Numplusho system.
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