I do understand the frustration with such specificity as my adding the term "base 10" in the reply.
Around here, a lack of specificity can result in a completely unnecessary sidebar. That’s why I did it (2+2 is not 4 in base 3).
Concerning bases, long ago a discussion of auto-correlation of a digitized alpha/numeric string finally, after days, ended in a showing of the difference in auto-correlation between a binary or decimal rendering of Champernowne’s constant.
Sometimes it is just “narcissism" at you say, but then sometimes it is the pond the correspondents’ swim in when they are not Freeping.
Hmmm... if language is just "codes" as you specified elsewhere.. and it is.. Are numbers language.?.. of course they are.. If 4 can be calulated in binary why not thiriary.?.. is my point.. Is 4 a symbol or a part of the decimal system.?.. Thats WHY I had a hard time with numbering systems.. Wouldn't let go of the symbol.. but held on to it like a teddy bear.. And I can be persistent too..
The numbers (as I understood them) were my qualia.. my qualiaific base, to understanding cyphering.. When I finally let go of them, THEN, math became interesting to me.. Kinda like being "born again".. Where once I was happy in a ten dimensional world, so to speak, after letting go, my world became infinite.. as far as numbers go.. When one says 4 to me today I don't see 4 as a chinese character i.e. a specific pictorial scribbling.. But as a symbol.. like any "word" is.. Words represent or try to represent "stuff"..
What does all this have to do with what you said.?. I dunno exactly.. after looking at what I just said, but somewhere between my words is the meaning.. of what I mean.. Sorry excuse for poster I am.. but I am persistent.. Give me that...