Numerical systems Memes

The stick figure is having a mathematical breakdown with Roman numerals! Looking at I + I = II (1+1=2), then II + II = IV (2+2=4)... wait, no, that's wrong! It's "I5" instead of IV! And then I5 + 5 = II0?! The caption brilliantly trolls us with terrible advice to "replace Roman numerals with modern ones when doing math" — which is exactly what caused this numerical train wreck. The poor stick figure is using the symbol "I" as the digit "1" and treating Roman numerals like positional notation. This is what happens when civilizations collide and your number systems get confused. Caesar would be rolling in his grave... or should I say, he'd be rolling MCMLXXXIV times.

The perfect mathematical burn doesn't exi— Numbers like 23456789 look special in base 10 (our standard number system) because the digits increase sequentially. But in other bases? Not so much! In base 16 (hexadecimal), this "special" number would be written as "165B27D" — suddenly not impressive at all. It's like claiming your height is remarkable because it's exactly 6 feet, while ignoring that it's just 1.83 meters or 72 inches. The property isn't intrinsic to the number itself, just to how we've chosen to represent it. Math nerds know: true mathematical beauty should be base-invariant!

Ever thought our number system was too complicated? Welcome to Base 1, where everything is beautifully simple... and endlessly tedious! 🤣 In normal number systems like Base 10 (what we use daily) or Base 2 (binary), we have different digits. But in Base 1? You only get ONE digit: 1. That's it! So the number 7 becomes "1111111" - literally just counting 1s. And poor π? It's an infinite string of 1s that would take over 1.4 million digits just to start! This is basically the mathematical equivalent of trying to write a novel using only the letter 'A'. Technically possible, practically insane! Mathematicians call this "unary notation" - the most inefficient yet conceptually simple number system possible. And notice how zero is just... nothing? That's actually perfect - in Base 1, zero is represented by an empty string. Mind blown yet? 🤯

Imagine trying to count your inventory before the concept of zero existed! Ancient merchants just standing there like "I had some apples... now I have... uh... fewer apples? No apples? Something-that-isn't-apples?" The mathematical void before zero was invented is both hilarious and terrifying. Next time you're annoyed by basic arithmetic, remember that for thousands of years, humanity was just vibing without the numerical concept of nothing. Zero wasn't widely used until around 500 CE, meaning entire civilizations built pyramids and aqueducts while essentially missing a fundamental digit. That's not just a skill issue—that's playing math on hard mode.

Nothing says "I'm a mathematician with disposable income" quite like a custom license plate flexing numerical superiority. This person's significant other has a plate reading "ZZZZZN" which they're proudly claiming is a 7-digit prime number in base 36. For the uninitiated, base 36 uses digits 0-9 and letters A-Z, making this an actual mathematical flex rather than just a random string of Z's. The smug "Jealous?" at the bottom is the mathematical equivalent of revving your engine at a stoplight. Somewhere, a number theorist is either deeply impressed or furiously checking their calculations to prove them wrong.