Here is a small puzzle to solve, there is a fairly simple way to count to 144 only using your fingers. Can you figure out how?

[ElijahRyne]

Honestly, I am confused as to why we weren’t taught this in kindergarten or in school generally. It also makes timing things in seconds pretty easy. Oh, and the previous sentence was the only hint I am giving, not that you need it.

 

[Premier]

I can count without using my fingers.

 

[Zirrboy]

I offer 1023.

 

[AliceShiki]

It's simple, you count at the speed of light, so before you can lose track of it, you already reached 144~

 

[gaylolis]

you never said to count from one to 144, so just one four four and that's it--only two fingers needed.

 

[georgelee5786]

raises one finger, raises four fingers, raises four finger again

 

[AuntieMaysLittleCousin]

raises one finger, raises four fingers, raises four finger again

Points at the previous comment while making a Khaby Lame-like sign with his hands

 

[ElijahRyne]

I guess I will give the answer tomorrow if no one can get it…

 

[Shard]

Counting in binary allows you to very easily reach quite high numbers this way. Alternatively, if you have good control of your fingers and can bend them at a joint without having the others move as well, you could go with trinary or higher.

 

[Zirrboy]

Counting in binary allows you to very easily reach quite high numbers this way. Alternatively, if you have good control of your fingers and can bend them at a joint without having the others move as well, you could go with trinary or higher.

Straight, half and then fully bent works even with regular flexibility.
And it makes the joint pointing method more accessible to the lizard people among us lacking opposable thumbs.

 

[Cipiteca396]

It's probably the joint thing.

Each finger has three sections, and there's four fingers. That adds up to twelve (on one hand).

If you then keep track of how many groups of twelve you have by representing each one as a single section of the other hand, you can have up to twelve groups of twelve, equivalent to 144.

I was told that this was how the Romans counted, once, but I never bothered to fact check it.

 

[ElijahRyne]

It's probably the joint thing.

Each finger has three sections, and there's four fingers. That adds up to twelve (on one hand).

If you then keep track of how many groups of twelve you have by representing each one as a single section of the other hand, you can have up to twelve groups of twelve, equivalent to 144.

I was told that this was how the Romans counted, once, but I never bothered to fact check it.

Yep, that is the solution!

 

[RavenRunes]

I actually have 144 fingers so there's no trick for me. Oh wait, you said 'your' fingers. Damn.