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[TheWombatOfDoom]

Research assistance!

If anyone is in need of research assistance, or likes to help others in such things, here's the place! SO. What do you want to know?

My Request: I'm doing a report on Unary numary system and my [lack of] Google fu isn't helping me at all.

I need to find out the history of the system and how it influences our system today. Can anyone please help?

[Maelstrom]

Really?

Google Linky looks good to me (https://www.google.com/search?q=numary&oq=numary&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&safe=off&spell=1&q=unary+numeral&sa=X&ei=AdKGUNXcGeaw0AXBrYDwBA&ved=0CBoQBSgA&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=73a2df482f71c0a7&bpcl=35466521&biw=1853&bih=995)

[TheWombatOfDoom]

None of these give a real history on unary numbers. As in, a definite fact of where unary numary systems came from. most of the links pertain to other things aside from the specifics of that.

[razark]

As in, a definite fact of where unary numary systems came from.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Palce.jpg
The unary number system just gives a more permanent record.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

that's one theory but i've seen conflicting evidence. do you have a date or time period this was first implemented?

[Jay R]

Almost certainly, a number system that pre-dates any system of numerals also pre-dates any system of writing, and therefore there is not likely to be a written record of its origins.

[Johel]

that's one theory but i've seen conflicting evidence. do you have a date or time period this was first implemented?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_numerals

They did represent 1 by one string, 2 by two string, 3 by three string,...
Up to 10, then up to 60.

Oldest evidence of this mathematical system are around 3100 BC.
This make it quite old already.
It is well-documented, too.

Depending of how much credits you want to give them, there are prehistorical bones with what's look like a unitary counting marks.
Eldest is date circa 35.000 BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebombo_bone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishango_bone

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Thanks for the help so far...

Do we have anything non wiki related?

[Aedilred]

Thanks for the help so far...

Do we have anything non wiki related?
If you want primary evidence, the source list at the bottom of the wiki page might be a good place to start.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Thanks for everyone's help! I got everything I needed.

On a side note, should we change this into an open idea, and let anyone who needs help with information request or ask for it here?