Long Hundred (long-hundred) to Gross (gros) conversion

What is long hundred?

The long hundred, also known as a great hundred or a twelve-score, is an obsolete unit of quantity equal to 120 items. It's a relic of a counting system where calculations were sometimes done in base-12 or base-20, rather than the standard base-10 system we use today.

Origin and Formation

The long hundred arises from the practice of counting in dozens (groups of 12). Unlike the "short hundred" (decimal hundred) that contains 100 items, the long hundred is based on a duodecimal system influence or simply a traditional way of counting specific goods. It is formed by multiplying twelve (a dozen) by ten, resulting in 120.

• Dozen: 12 items
• Long Hundred: 12 dozens, or 12 * 10 = 120 items

This contrasts with the decimal system, where a hundred is simply 10 * 10 = 100.

Historical Context and Usage

The long hundred was most commonly used in trade and commerce, particularly when dealing with goods that were easily grouped into dozens, such as eggs, nails, or other small wares. It provided a convenient way to count and package these items. While no specific laws directly mandated its use, it was a customary practice deeply ingrained in certain industries.

Examples of Quantities Using Long Hundred

Here are a few examples of how long hundreds might be used:

• Nails: A hardware store might sell nails in long hundreds, making it easier to manage inventory.
• Herrings: In the herring trade, fish were often counted and sold using the long hundred.
• Other small wares: Any items that were easy to bundle into dozens could be sold using this unit.

Let's say you are buying nails, then

1 Long Hundred = 120 nails.

So buying 3 long hundreds would get you 360 nails.

$$3 \times 120 = 360$$

Why did long hundreds cease to exist?

The adoption of the metric system and decimal-based accounting practices gradually led to the decline and eventual obsolescence of the long hundred. These modern systems provided greater efficiency and standardization.

What is Gross?

A "gross" is a unit of quantity equal to 144 items. It's commonly used as a collective unit, especially when dealing with large quantities of small items. Think of it as a "dozen dozens." The term is derived from the Old French word "grosse," meaning "large" or "thick."

Formation of a Gross

A gross is formed by multiplying a dozen (12) by another dozen (12). This is a simple multiplication:

$$1 \text{ gross} = 12 \times 12 = 144$$

Historical Context and Usage

The use of "gross" dates back to the Middle Ages, particularly in trade and commerce. It provided a convenient way to count and package items like buttons, pins, and other small goods. While not as prevalent today, it still finds use in certain industries.

Real-World Examples

• Office Supplies: Boxes of pencils, pens, or paperclips are sometimes sold in gross quantities to large offices or schools.
• Fasteners: Screws, bolts, and other small fasteners are often packaged and sold by the gross. For example, a hardware store might order a gross of a specific size of wood screw.
• Craft Supplies: Beads, buttons, or other small crafting components may be purchased in gross quantities by artisans or manufacturers.
• Retail: In the past, items like matches or small candies might have been sold by the gross in general stores.