Backgrounder: Plimpton 322 and trigonometry

http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/news/backgrounder-plimpton-322-and-trigonometry

by kccqzy • 9 years ago

1 1 9 years ago

science.unsw.edu.au

kccqzy• 9 years ago

I'm very surprised a university can put out articles like this (even as news release!) while containing such gems as:

A computer can’t even divide three properly and must rely on an approximation to do calculations. Working in base 60 could have great advantages for modern computing, because a lot of computing energy is spent making calculations using inexact numbers, and errors are also introduced when approximations are made. “If computers could be programmed to work in base 60 it might be possible to increase accuracy and decrease cost,” says Dr Mansfield. “This would be particularly beneficial for work requiring high accuracy, such as surveying, or scientific calculations, or where power is an issue, such as in space probes or where speed is an issue, such as in computer graphics.”

Backgrounder: Plimpton 322 and trigonometry

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