ABSTRACT
Fingers were a convenient counting device for people at all times in history. Several early number systems that were based on finger counting were extensively used. Since there are five fingers, these systems were base five systems. Germany used the base-five system on its calendars as late as 1800. Even today some South American tribes count by hands. They count by saying, “One, two, three, four, hand, hand plus one, hand plus two.” Quinary means five, so the quinary system is based on five. This number system uses five numerals. In the quinary system the value of each place is five times greater than the position to its right. In the quinary system the value of each place is five times greater than the position to its right, so the value of the fifth place is 625.
