Can someone simplify Base 60 and it's conversions?

Question

I'm looking to understand the base 60 numbering system, but, all explanations are beyond my comprehension. So, it needs to be explained in 1st grade terms. :)
As examples, I would like the following number converted from base 60 to base 10: 969
and, from base 10 to base 60: 44

I heard that 969 would be the equivelent of about 83. But, based on everything I think I understand, that is not correct. 

Thanks ahead of time.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

In base 60, 969 means:
9*(60^2) + 6*(60) + 9
= 9*3600 + 360 + 9
= 32400 + 360 + 9
= 32769 decimal.

A five digit number abcde (where the letters represent digits) would convert to decimal:
a*(60^4) + b*(60^3) + c*(60^2) + d*(60) + e.

To express all numbers in base sixty requires sixty different digits, one for each of the decimal values 0 to 59.

In a similar manner, a number abcde in base 10 means:
a*(10^4) + b*(10^3) + c*(10^2) + d*(10) + e.
Base 10 calls for ten different digits (0 to 9).

Decimal 44 in base 60 would be represented by a single digit, as there are sixty single digit numbers representing the numbers 0 to 59. Some extension of standard number notation is called for.

There is no convention as far as I know for a notation for base 60. The highest base I have ever had to deal with is 16, and for that the custom is that letters A to F represent the decimal numbers ten to fifteen.

E5C3  in base 16 means:
14*(16^3) + 5*(16^2) + 12*16 + 3
= 14*4096 + 5*256 + 12*16 + 3
= 57344 + 1280 + 192 + 3
= 58819.

letitia · Answer

It means you can ONLY convert the first 60 seconds of a clip. No more than 60 seconds will be converted. To convert the whole thing, you need to buy the software.

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Can someone simplify Base 60 and it's conversions?

2 Answers