During the Indus valley civilisation period the dominant number used f...
Correct answer is D only .Today, As we use dominant number 10 for weights & measures i.e 50kg, 100, 200 . At the time of indus valley civilization they used dominant number 16 . Weights & measures were done in the multiple of 16 i.e 32, 64 etc.
During the Indus valley civilisation period the dominant number used f...
The Indus Valley Civilisation period was a time of great advancement in terms of trade, agriculture, and urban planning. A key aspect of this was the use of standardized weights and measures, which helped facilitate commerce and ensure fairness in transactions. The dominant number used for these weights and measures was 16.
Reasons for the Dominance of 16
There were several reasons why 16 became the dominant number for weights and measures during the Indus Valley Civilisation period:
1. Binary System: The Indus Valley Civilisation used a binary system of counting, which means that numbers were represented using only two digits (0 and 1). This made it easier to work with multiples of 2, which is why 16 (2^4) was a convenient number to use for weights and measures.
2. Agricultural Practices: The Indus Valley Civilisation was an agricultural society, and many of their weights and measures were related to farming. For example, the standard weight for a seed was 0.05 grams, and 320 seeds made up one unit of weight. This meant that 16 units of weight (or 5.12 grams) was equivalent to a small measure of grain.
3. Trade Networks: The Indus Valley Civilisation had extensive trade networks that extended across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. By using a standardized system of weights and measures, they could ensure that goods were traded fairly and that everyone was using the same units of measurement.
Examples of Indus Valley Weights and Measures
Some examples of weights and measures used during the Indus Valley Civilisation period include:
- The standard weight for a seed was 0.05 grams
- 320 seeds made up one unit of weight
- 16 units of weight (or 5.12 grams) was equivalent to a small measure of grain
- The standard weight for a brick was 12.8 kilograms (or 16 shatamanas)
- The standard length for a brick was 33 centimeters
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dominant number used for weights and measures during the Indus Valley Civilisation period was 16. This was due to a combination of factors, including the binary system of counting, agricultural practices, and trade networks. By using a standardized system of weights and measures, the Indus Valley Civilisation was able to facilitate commerce and ensure fairness in transactions.