A “small gross” may sound peculiar in the world of measurements, yet it holds a significant niche in the realm of counting. A small gross equals 120 units, serving as a fascinating intermediate between a dozen and a gross. This unit reflects the duodecimal system’s influence, a base-12 number system used historically in trade and counting, particularly before the widespread adoption of the decimal system. While its usage is rarer today, it was once quite practical for merchandise packaging and bulk items, highlighting humanity’s penchant for diverse mathematical solutions in different eras. Rediscovering units like the small gross bridges the gap between historical trade practices and modern numerical systems, shedding light on how societies have quantified goods across centuries.
The concept of a dozen, representing the number 12, dates back to ancient civilizations, where it was favored for its divisibility. Twelve can be divided evenly into halves, thirds, and quarters, making it extremely useful for trade and distribution. This efficiency explains its prominence in selling items like eggs, pastries, and even flowers, which are often still grouped in dozens today.
Interestingly, the dozen has transcended its original purpose to influence language and culture. Expressions such as “a baker’s dozen,” which refers to 13, emerged from the medieval practice where bakers would add an extra loaf to a batch of 12 to avoid penalties for selling underweight bread. Through such trivia, the dozen showcases its significant role in both commerce and everyday life.
| Small Gross | Dozens |
|---|---|
0
sm-gr
|
0
doz
|
0.5
sm-gr
|
5
doz
|
1
sm-gr
|
10
doz
|
1.5
sm-gr
|
15
doz
|
2
sm-gr
|
20
doz
|
2.5
sm-gr
|
25
doz
|
3
sm-gr
|
30
doz
|
3.5
sm-gr
|
35
doz
|
4
sm-gr
|
40
doz
|
4.5
sm-gr
|
45
doz
|
5
sm-gr
|
50
doz
|
5.5
sm-gr
|
55
doz
|
6
sm-gr
|
60
doz
|
6.5
sm-gr
|
65
doz
|
7
sm-gr
|
70
doz
|
7.5
sm-gr
|
75
doz
|
8
sm-gr
|
80
doz
|
8.5
sm-gr
|
85
doz
|
9
sm-gr
|
90
doz
|
9.5
sm-gr
|
95
doz
|
10
sm-gr
|
100
doz
|
10.5
sm-gr
|
105
doz
|
11
sm-gr
|
110
doz
|
11.5
sm-gr
|
115
doz
|
12
sm-gr
|
120
doz
|
12.5
sm-gr
|
125
doz
|
13
sm-gr
|
130
doz
|
13.5
sm-gr
|
135
doz
|
14
sm-gr
|
140
doz
|
14.5
sm-gr
|
145
doz
|
15
sm-gr
|
150
doz
|
15.5
sm-gr
|
155
doz
|
16
sm-gr
|
160
doz
|
16.5
sm-gr
|
165
doz
|
17
sm-gr
|
170
doz
|
17.5
sm-gr
|
175
doz
|
18
sm-gr
|
180
doz
|
18.5
sm-gr
|
185
doz
|
19
sm-gr
|
190
doz
|
19.5
sm-gr
|
195
doz
|
20
sm-gr
|
200
doz
|
20.5
sm-gr
|
205
doz
|
21
sm-gr
|
210
doz
|
21.5
sm-gr
|
215
doz
|
22
sm-gr
|
220
doz
|
22.5
sm-gr
|
225
doz
|
23
sm-gr
|
230
doz
|
23.5
sm-gr
|
235
doz
|
24
sm-gr
|
240
doz
|
24.5
sm-gr
|
245
doz
|
25
sm-gr
|
250
doz
|
25.5
sm-gr
|
255
doz
|
26
sm-gr
|
260
doz
|
26.5
sm-gr
|
265
doz
|
27
sm-gr
|
270
doz
|
27.5
sm-gr
|
275
doz
|
28
sm-gr
|
280
doz
|
28.5
sm-gr
|
285
doz
|
29
sm-gr
|
290
doz
|
29.5
sm-gr
|
295
doz
|
30
sm-gr
|
300
doz
|
30.5
sm-gr
|
305
doz
|
31
sm-gr
|
310
doz
|
31.5
sm-gr
|
315
doz
|
32
sm-gr
|
320
doz
|
32.5
sm-gr
|
325
doz
|
33
sm-gr
|
330
doz
|
33.5
sm-gr
|
335
doz
|
34
sm-gr
|
340
doz
|
34.5
sm-gr
|
345
doz
|
35
sm-gr
|
350
doz
|
35.5
sm-gr
|
355
doz
|
36
sm-gr
|
360
doz
|
36.5
sm-gr
|
365
doz
|
37
sm-gr
|
370
doz
|
37.5
sm-gr
|
375
doz
|
38
sm-gr
|
380
doz
|
38.5
sm-gr
|
385
doz
|
39
sm-gr
|
390
doz
|
39.5
sm-gr
|
395
doz
|
40
sm-gr
|
400
doz
|
40.5
sm-gr
|
405
doz
|
41
sm-gr
|
410
doz
|
41.5
sm-gr
|
415
doz
|
42
sm-gr
|
420
doz
|
42.5
sm-gr
|
425
doz
|
43
sm-gr
|
430
doz
|
43.5
sm-gr
|
435
doz
|
44
sm-gr
|
440
doz
|
44.5
sm-gr
|
445
doz
|
45
sm-gr
|
450
doz
|
45.5
sm-gr
|
455
doz
|
46
sm-gr
|
460
doz
|
46.5
sm-gr
|
465
doz
|
47
sm-gr
|
470
doz
|
47.5
sm-gr
|
475
doz
|
48
sm-gr
|
480
doz
|
48.5
sm-gr
|
485
doz
|
49
sm-gr
|
490
doz
|
49.5
sm-gr
|
495
doz
|
50
sm-gr
|
500
doz
|
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