Number Systems and Binary Messages

In class yesterday we discussed the creation of number systems. We learned that it all started with tallies and then developed into more complex pictures and systems. We learned that the current number system is a base 10 system that uses positional notation, or reuses the same values based on the position in the sequence.

Then we did an activity with three shapes: squares, circles, and triangles. Our challenge was to arrange the shapes in rows of three so that there must be a circle, square, and triangle in each row. We couldn't repeat combinations, and eventually we realized there were six possibilities. Our next challenge was to do the same thing, except we could repeat circles, squares, or triangles in a row as long as you did not repeat a sequence. Here, we realized there were 27 sequences. Me and my partner Tara had to take a much more systematic approach here to make sure we didn't repeat sequences. Lastly, we had to create a code to assign numbers to each shape sequence. We found this very difficult, and our class ended up working together on creating a system for this.

This class made us all appreciate the simple number system that is now in place.