because if we hade 11 we might not balance that well.

Genetically speaking, it is much more efficient to encode DNA for symetrical structures. It is partly a matter of simplicity.

Evolution

This is the way evolution is thought to work: a mutation occurs in one generation of a species. If the mutation proves beneficial to the organism then it is carried over into the next generation. If not then it tends to disappear. Clearly there has never been a point in our evolutionary history where not having 10 fingers and toes provided enough of a benefit to carry on into the next generation. Some individuals are born with extra digits, though, both on their hands and feet. These tend to not be fully formed and functional. For proper balance it's important that we have an equal number of toes on each foot and if we did not have an equal number of fingers it would reduce functionality in one hand over the other. Also nature loves symmetry. All creatures with limbs and digits have an equal number of each. Insects always have 6 legs and spiders always have 8 - all even numbers. Incidentally, the reason our number systems are based on the number ten is thought to be because we have 10 fingers. If we had 11, our counting systems could be based on that number instead.

Simply because the creatures we evolved from had five digits on each extremity. It was mostly just luck of the draw that the winner of the battle for dominance had the shape it did: ten doesn't seem to be any better or worse than twelve. Eleven, though, would be odd given our more or less symetrical design.

To the question why do we have 4 fingers plus thumb on each hand, as opposed to 5 or 3, I'd say it has a lot to do with our hunter-gatherer evolution. Because we eat such a wide variety of food, it's important to have the right number of fingers that can form the different hand shapes to catch, collect or extract that food. A thumb and the two first fingers for example is a good precision hold, for holding a stick or picking up fine things, like grains. And with the extra (ring) finger the grip becomes stronger, allowing us to say hold a spear, or pull a tough root vegetable from the ground. The small finger (pinkie) is not really necessary for these actions. But with the extra (pinkie) finger our grip becomes almost the span of a full circle, and this combo is good for grabbing food and catching animals. It also makes a good fist for fighting, squeezing and breaking things. The four finger plus thumb combination is very effective for these purposes, and it's doubtful whether any extra fingers would help do the job any better.

A lot of genetic problems are solved by symetry. One set of genes, 4 limbs made the same. Then the shape modified with time. We could have evolved with 8 fingers just as well but we need 10 fingers to play the piano well. So I'm glad we have 10. The ribs are another example of repeating the same pattern.

11 is an odd number therefore we would not be symmetrical

In my opinion this question can be answered through the understanding of nature, especially human nature in relation with some sort of logical explanation. I propose linking this question with : First : The Bible, the Word of God. Second : Prime Number, one of the subject of Number Theory, one of the branch of Mathematics. First of all, I will explain the answer from the Bible. Now, Let's do a simple mathematics; 2 times 5 equal 10. Where do you find number 10 in the Bible? The answer is from the Old Testament book; Exodus 20:1-26 The Tenth Commandments, 10 SIGNIFIES that God give human 10 commandments; MATCH, not more or not less, 10 hands in which God had created human. The first 1-5 commandments goes to God, the second 6-10 commandments goes to human. The 5th command goes to God because we cannot choose our parents. So as simple as that, we are given 10 hands by God, to be counted, to do work, to play guitar, to glorify God, to make human REALIZE that there is 10 basic principles to LIVE in this world. Second, I will explain the answer from the Theory of Prime Number : Prime Number is a number which only have 2 factors, 1 and the prime itself. For example; 7 is a prime number, the factors are 1 and 7. But 6 is not a prime number because it can be factored into 1, 2, 3, and 6. Prime Number can be classified into 3 groups : A.) The first group is based on Divisibility, the Remainder if we divide Prime Number by 9 (P = R mod 9) : - P = 1 mod 9 (examples : 19, 37, 73, 109, etc.) - P = 2 mod 9 (examples : 2, 11, 29, 47, 83, 101, etc.) - P = 4 mod 9 (examples : 13, 31, 67, 103, etc.) - P = 5 mod 9 (examples : 5, 23, 41, 59, 113, etc.) - P = 7 mod 9 (examples : 7, 43, 61, 79, 97, etc.) - P = 8 mod 9 (examples : 17, 53, 71, 89, 107, etc.) B.) The second group is based on the Least Significant Digit of Prime Number (the unit) : - LSD 1 (examples : 11, 31, 41, 61, 71, 101, etc.) - LSD 3 (examples : 3, 13, 23, 43, 53, 73, 83, 103, etc.) - LSD 7 (examples : 7, 17, 37, 47, 67, 97, 107, etc.) - LSD 9 (examples : 19, 29, 59, 79, 89, 109, etc.) C.) The third group is based on Uniqueness (Only reside in one groups at once) : 2 3 5 These Prime Number (2, 3 and 5) are Unique because they only belong to one groups at once, That's why we human have 2 hands, 5 fingers and 3 brains !!! I said that 3 brains, Why? Because the Left Brain cooperated with the Right Brain created the Third Brain, that is the reality, the working principle of our Brains. Moreover I said to you 3 hands, Why? Imagine someone playing guitar, the Left Hand cooperated with the Right Hand created the Third Hand, that is the reality, the working principle of our Hands.

Why not 37 or 52? Genetics, nature, evolution, creationism - take your pick from these or several others one could think up. Not all "why" questions have a logical reasoned reply if one refuses to believe that some things are as they because maybe they just have to be some way. +5

don t ask me ,ask god +3

Has to be even for balance.

You know, this question is offensive to those of us who do have eleven digits.

9-5-2017 Evolution s**ts all over itself trying to answer that question, because ALL animals use the same five-toed design, even the ones that don't have five toes. Nobody knows why, and it hurts too much to admit they don't know.

I knew a guy that had 2 thumbs on his hand.

I do not have 6 toes on each foot because I am not Nephelium.