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Dyadic rational
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===In measurement=== {{CSS image crop|Image=Kitchen weights metric imperial.jpg|bSize=427|cWidth=256|oLeft=165|oTop=27|cHeight=256|Description=Kitchen weights measuring dyadic fractions of a [[Pound (mass)|pound]] from {{nowrap|2 lb}} down to 1/64 lb (1/4 oz)|Alt=Photo of metal disks used as kitchen weights}} Many traditional systems of weights and measures are based on the idea of repeated halving, which produces dyadic rationals when measuring fractional amounts of units. The [[inch]] is customarily subdivided in dyadic rationals rather than using a decimal subdivision.{{r|rudman}} The customary divisions of the [[gallon]] into half-gallons, [[quart]]s, [[pint]]s, and [[Cup (unit)|cups]] are also dyadic.{{r|barnes}} The ancient Egyptians used dyadic rationals in measurement, with denominators up to 64.{{r|curtis}} Similarly, systems of weights from the [[Indus Valley civilisation]] are for the most part based on repeated halving; anthropologist Heather M.-L. Miller writes that "halving is a relatively simple operation with beam balances, which is likely why so many weight systems of this time period used binary systems".{{r|miller}}
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