A Simple Slice of Science – Why do we have five fingers?

nao

This week’s questions comes from the youngest junior scientist in the Science Wows household and he wants to know…

Why do we have five fingers?

 

As it is National Maths Week Dr. Simple is happy to be talking numbers.

FiveFingers

 

References:

1. Why do most species have five digits on their hands and feet?

2. What if our hands had six fingers?

3. Why do we have ten fingers?

 

 

 

nao

Science blogger and writer; Owner of Dr. How's Science Wows; Mother of three junior scientists who have taught me that to be a great scientist you need to look at life through the eyes of a child!

5 thoughts on “A Simple Slice of Science – Why do we have five fingers?”

  • Sadhbh@WhereWishesComeFrom
    October 17, 2014 at 6:54 pm
    Permalink

    Fascinating! (As all of these Dr. Simple posts are) I love the fact about the10 digit base too. It’s a revelation!!

  • tric kearney
    October 16, 2014 at 11:23 pm
    Permalink

    I thought it was for counting. 🙂 Actually I wonder if in years to come our fingers will modify if technology continues to require us to text or type so regularly instead of manual labour.

    • naoPost author
      October 17, 2014 at 2:06 pm
      Permalink

      Ha good point Tric, they may become very narrow to stop all our texting errors 🙂

  • office mum
    October 16, 2014 at 10:09 pm
    Permalink

    That’s really interesting – I like the idea that we have a base 10 numerical system for that reason – makes perfect sense!

    • naoPost author
      October 16, 2014 at 10:12 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks Office Mum, yes it does when it is pointed out alright. Apparently we learn and adapt much better to any system that mimics nature (reference 2 above)

Comments are closed.