--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Counting in octal is just likst counting…" description: "\"Counting in octal is just likst counting in decimal--if you don't use your thumbs.\" — Tom Lehrer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/tom-lehrer-3442_counting_counting-in-octal-is-just-likst-counting_172717.jpg" --- # Counting in octal is just likst counting in decimal--if… ![“Counting in octal is just likst counting in decimal--if you don't use your thumbs.” quote by Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/tom-lehrer-3442_counting_counting-in-octal-is-just-likst-counting_172717.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/tom-lehrer-3442_counting_counting-in-octal-is-just-likst-counting_172717.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/tom-lehrer-3442_counting_counting-in-octal-is-just-likst-counting_172717.jpg) > “Counting in octal is just likst counting in decimal--if you don't use your thumbs.” [Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehrer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Octal counting differs from decimal only in base, but the mental shift is like using a different counting tool. **In simple terms:** Octal uses base eight, not ten. Key Takeaway Remember the base you’re counting in. Themes mathematics number systems learning mental models Mood curious analytical Type educational technical When to use this quote - teaching - programming - every calculations Key Concepts base conversion place value Questions to Reflect On - How does changing base affect your perception of numbers? - When is octal useful? A Different Perspective Octal can be confusing without practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decimals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decimals/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [Counting in octal is just like counting in decimal, if you don't use your .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lehrer/counting-in-octal-is-just-like-counting-in-decimal-if-you-don-t-use/) [Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehrer/) > [I always say when you see that old black-and-white footage of the rocket on the launch pad and it falls over and explodes, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye/i-always-say-when-you-see-that-old-black-and-white-footage-of-the/) [Bill Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nye/) > [“We have lost our humanity to the decimal point.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-have-lost-our-humanity-to-the-decimal-point/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“I'm sure the Bursar would not agree with those figures," said the Senior Wrangler sourly. 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