2008.10.05
Prime Number Currency
So here’s an idea that came out of celebrating our friend Dave’s birthday. Amazing what drunk talk can net you…
Our current monetary system is systemetized around base-10, meaning that you have divisions of 10 as the coins and paper notes in America.
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25
Bills: 1, 5, 10, 20
Mind you I’m not rich so I’m not including the $1 coin or $100 bills (or more). Those are, on the whole the most common divisions of money in most countries, with the possible exception of replacing the 25 cent coin with a 20 cent coin.
But what if all currency were replaced with only prime numbers? These are the first twenty: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71. What if we only allowed coins for every other number, and bills for the alternate?
Coins: 3, 7, 13, 19, 29, etc.
Bills: 2, 5, 11, 17, 23, 31, etc.
I feel we should have a one cent or one dollar, too, though “1″ is not by many definitions a prime number. Imagine the chaos that would ensue from using prime numbers, especially if a law were passed mandating that change from a purchase must be made in the fewest number of coins and bills as possible? And the insane math issues so many people would have until they got use to it all?
Personally I love the idea. Not only would it make things interesting, but it might even kick start people’s thinking about math in a new, novel fashion. When I’m ruler of the world I will mandate prime number currency, and metric for everything else except kitchens, where traditional English measures will rule. How much more confusing can we make the world?
2 Comments Categorized: thoughts
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2 Responses to “Prime Number Currency”
- Adeliza says (October 6th, 2008 at 11:37:44 )
No offense, Dugh, but I really hope you never rule the world. My head hurts just contemplating the thought of prime number currency…wait, I’ll just use my debit card for everything. Problem solved!
- douglas says (October 6th, 2008 at 17:51:48 )
Seriously? Of all the crazy things I could do when I finally rule the world (still need my shipment of wonderflonium) my interest in currency is what sets you off as a dissatisfied citizen?
