Long Hundred (long-hundred) to Scores (scores) 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 Scores?

Scores is a unit of quantity, primarily used to count items in groups of twenty. Understanding its origins and applications can provide insights into historical counting methods and modern usage.

Definition and Formation

A score represents twenty items. The term originates from the Old Norse word "skor," meaning notch or mark, likely referring to the practice of counting by making notches on a stick to keep track of quantities, with every twentieth notch being emphasized. Therefore, each score meant 20 units.

Historical Context

The term "score" has historical significance, particularly in contexts such as counting livestock or other goods. One notable example is found in the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln: "Four score and seven years ago..." This refers to 87 years (4 x 20 + 7).

Real-World Examples and Modern Usage

While less common today, "score" is still used in specific contexts:

• Music: While not directly a unit of quantity, musical scores represent the entirety of a musical composition, which can involve a large number of individual notes and instrumental parts.
• Bowling: In some bowling games, achieving a high score involves hitting a certain amount of pins.
• Literature and speeches: As highlighted in the Gettysburg Address, the term is commonly used in popular literature and speeches.

Other Grouping Quantities

Many cultures and contexts use other grouping quantities similar to scores:

• Dozen: Twelve items. Commonly used for eggs, baked goods, and other retail items.
• Gross: Twelve dozens, or 144 items. Used in inventory management and wholesale.
• Bakers Dozen: Thirteen items.
• Great Gross: Twelve gross, or 1728 items.

These groupings, including scores, demonstrate the human tendency to organize and quantify items in manageable and culturally relevant units.