"Because 5 digits is equal to 2, 2.5 digits. (B..."

https://arbital.com/p/8ns

by Eli Tyre Sep 18 2017


As you can see, when splitting an n\-digit, the fair split occurs at the largest whole number x such that xcdotxlen, in which case we both get to record one x\-message\. This is why it is 316, and not 500, that can most naturally be seen as "about 2\.5 decimal digits long:" The number that is 2\.5 decimal digits long is the largest number x such that, given five digits, both you and I can use those 5 digits to store independent x\-messages\. If you store a 500\-message, that only leaves enough space for me to store a 200\-message\. If you only store a 300\-message, that leaves enough space for me to store a 333\-message\. x\=316 is the point where we can both store an x\-message, because 316 is the largest whole number such that x2le100000.

Because 5 digits is equal to 2, 2.5 digits.

(By the way, it would be good if there were a way for me to take notes, on the text that didn't require me to spam the comments section.)