Tersonian decimal expansion is a number system that uses 10 as its base, similar to the commonly used decimal system. However, it uses a different set of symbols for the digits, which are derived from geometric shapes.
Tersonian decimal expansion follows the same principles as the decimal system, where each digit's value is determined by its position in the number. The only difference is that instead of using digits 0-9, it uses geometric symbols to represent values 0-9. For example, a circle represents 0, a triangle represents 3, and a square represents 4.
One advantage is that it can make mathematical operations, such as addition and multiplication, more visually intuitive. Additionally, since it uses symbols instead of numbers, it can be useful for people with dyslexia or other learning disabilities that make it difficult to process traditional numerical systems.
One drawback is that it is not as widely recognized or used compared to the traditional decimal system. This may make it challenging to communicate with others who are not familiar with it. Additionally, converting between Tersonian and decimal numbers may require some extra effort.
Tersonian decimal expansion was invented by mathematician and artist, Antoine Terson, in the 19th century. He believed that using geometric symbols could make mathematical concepts more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. However, it never gained widespread popularity and is still considered a niche system.