and every fifth digit is just put in an odd place

  • SorteKanin@feddit.dk
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    8 months ago

    Base 1 does make a huge difference though. In base 1, number length is linear with respect to the size of the number - i.e. the number 10 needs 10 tallies. For any other base, the number length is logarithmic, i.e. the number 10 needs just 2 numerals in base 10 and still only 4 in base 2.

    This is actually important in theoretical computer science, since computers would be much slower if you don’t assume an “efficient encoding” of numbers, i.e. a logarithmic sized encoding. Base 1 is not efficient.

    • PeriodicallyPedantic@lemmy.ca
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      8 months ago

      It is logarithmic size, it’s just the special case of log1. The implication being the higher the base, the more efficient the encoding.

      Edit: 1 is supposed to be subscript, but it’s not showing properly in my app. Idk what it looks like for others

      • SorteKanin@feddit.dk
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        8 months ago

        Log base 1 is undefined, no? It’s like division by zero.

        PS: it looks like subscript.