S3: The Smith Sexagesimal System: Using Base-60 to Increase Arithmetic Intelligence

by Jean-Michel Smith

The Smith Sexagesimal System is a detailed treatment and modernization of the ancient base-60 numerical system first developed by the Sumerians around 3100 BC. S3 combines ancient and modern mathematical concepts, unifying them with quantum physics and general relativity. The result is an innovative new system that enhances arithmetic intelligence and simplifies difficult physics concepts.

72 pages, Paperback

First published December 5, 2011

About the author

Jean-Michel Smith was born in Palo Alto, California, but lived many years in Chicago, which he considers his home town. After pursuing degrees in physics and engineering, he ultimately chose computer science and graduated with a BS from the University of Illinois, College of Engineering. His career as an IT architect and systems engineer has taken him to many countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Published in France, his essays on free culture and collaborative endeavor appear in "LOGS: micro-fondements d'emancipation sociale et artistique." He is the author of "S3: The Smith Sexagesimal System" (using base-60 to enhance arithmetic intelligence) and the science fiction novel "Autonomy."

Reviews

[Robert Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent, little book detailing the author's incredibly well thought-through answer to revising number notation. He opts for the Sumerian/Babylon base-60 number system, which we still use for seconds, minutes, and degrees. He solves the problem of difficult names, difficult glyphs, large numbers, small numbers, and scientific units with amazing alacrity and precise language.

I take off one star, however, as a student of Babylonian mathematics, because he doesn't address certain pedogogical concerns: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. While he invents a genius naming system, he does not address the question that really would matter most in adoption of such a fun system: arithmetic. How would children learn this? I found his font files online and will attempt to answer that question for myself ...

[Christine Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent little math book describing a unique Base-60 numerical system developed by the author. He has also added the first chapter of his novel Autonomy at the end. Altogether, a fascinating read.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Base60 number system. Very, very interesting and well explained.