TED-Ed: How high can you count on your fingers? (Spoiler: much higher than 10) - James Tanton

The video explores various methods of counting using fingers, starting with traditional methods and advancing to more complex systems like positional notation and binary counting. It demonstrates how fingers can be used to count beyond ten by utilizing sections and different states, such as up, down, and half-bent. The video also highlights the efficiency of binary counting, which is the basis for computer operations, and introduces the concept of base-three counting for those with more dexterous fingers.

How many sections can each finger be divided into for counting purposes?

• Two sections

• Five sections

• Three sections

• Four sections

What is the maximum number you can count to using binary representation on ten fingers?

• 512

• 1,023

• 1,024

• 2,048

What is the significance of positional notation in counting systems?

• It allows for counting only up to ten.

• It uses the same symbol for different values based on position.

• It is only applicable to base-ten systems.

• It limits counting to whole numbers.

In a base-three positional system using fingers, what is the highest number you can count to?

• 576

• 1,023

• 59,048

• 144

What principle do computers use that is similar to counting with fingers in binary?

• Base-two counting

• Base-six counting

• Base-ten counting

• Base-three counting