What Is a Dozen? Definition, Unit, Examples

What Is a Dozen?

Suppose you are asked to buy a dozen bananas from a market. How many bananas will you buy? How many is a dozen? It takes 12 units to make a dozen.

A group of 12 objects or items are collectively called ‘a dozen’ items. Thus, a dozen bananas means 12 bananas. 

The word dozen comes from the French word ‘douzaine’ which means a group of 12.

Definition of Dozen

A dozen is one of the oldest units of measurement. A dozen is a grouping of twelve objects, shapes, or numbers. It is abbreviated as doz or dz. The dozen unit is used all over the world.

For example, a dozen eggs . . .

Or a dozen stars!

Where Did the Term “Dozen” Come From?

The word dozen comes from the French word “douzaine,” which means a group of 12. Dozen is one of the most primitive customary units of numbers.

The number system with the base number 12 is called duodecimal or dozenal. It is believed to have started counting finger bones using the thumb. It is connected to nature. A day has two cycles of 12 hours, and a year has twelve months or twelve moon cycles or zodiac signs. 

Moreover, among numbers under 18, the number 12 has the most divisors—1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12—allowing most subdivisions of the unit. Various things come in a dozen. Many household goods are sold in dozens.

What Is a Dozen of Dozens?

“A dozen of dozens!” It’s fun to say, isn’t it? So, what is a dozen of dozens? It is 12 dozen. Twelve dozen are called a “gross.” It is a shortening of the Old French term, grosse douzaine, which means a large dozen. 

Ten dozens are called a “small gross,” and twelve grosses are called a “big gross.” Merchants usually buy their goods in bulk and sell them in dozens.

Certain items packaged by the count of dozen are also categorized into larger sets. This practice is common when suppliers sell these items in bulk quantities.

Decimal System versus Dozen System

You may be wondering why you have to learn a new system of dozens when you can already count using the decimal system. Well, this is because a dozen calculation methods have advantages. First of all, it makes counting a few particular items easier. We are used to counting in tens, so counting in 12 can be an interesting challenge.

And 12 or a dozen is not new to us. We use it in our daily calculations, like the clock’s face has 12 digits. There are 12 hours in a day, 12 months in a year. See, we count things in 12 all the time. So, you wanted 8 eggs for a recipe, and they gave you a dozen in a packet. You know mom can always whip up some yummy scrambled eggs for breakfast the next morning. Isn’t that a lovely side benefit of the dozen?

The Sexagesimal System

“Sexagesimal system” sounds a little scary. But it is quite simple and fascinating. It is an ancient system of counting, which uses the powers of 60, pretty much the same way the decimal system uses powers of 10. This system divides the hour into 60 minutes and then the minute into 60 seconds.

Fun Facts about a Dozen 

• A baker’s dozen is 13, one more than a proper dozen. It is also known as a long dozen. Bakers started this custom to avoid a fine for serving less than the required weight for 12 items. 
• The number 12 was most likely used as a unit of measurement for the first time by ancient Mesopotamians.

Conclusion

A dozen is a widely used term when you are buying things. It is a common unit that has been in use for ages. It makes the process of counting multiple objects much easier. You also sound really smart saying it. Now that you have learned all about it, buy dozens of your favorite things the next time you go shopping, and have a gross amount of fun doing it.

A dozen roses would smell so divine

A dozen cuddles, now that would be fine

A dozen candies to eat till you are done

A dozen puppies, oh what fun,

But first, what is a dozen?

The Dynamic Dozen: An Introduction

Solved Examples on Dozen

1. Find out the values of

a) $\frac{3}{4}$ of a dozen and b) $\frac{1}{2}$ of a dozen

Solution:

a) $\frac{3}{4}$ of a dozen

A dozen is equal to 12 units. $\frac{3}{4}$ of a dozen is $\frac{3}{4} \times 12 = 9$

So, $\frac{3}{4}$ of a dozen is 9

b) $\frac{1}{4}$ of a dozen

A dozen is equal to 12 units. $\frac{1}{4}$ of a dozen is $\frac{1}{4} \times 12 = 3$

So, $\frac{1}{4}$ of a dozen is 3

2. Sam purchased 5 dozen disposable cups for a party. What is the number count of the disposable cups bought by him?

Solution:

Sam purchased 5 dozen disposable cups for a party. (Given)

A dozen is equal to 12 units.

To find the number of disposable cups, multiply 5 by 12

5 dozen $= 5 \times 12 = 60$

So, Sam bought 60 disposable cups for the party.

3. Mary ordered 72 candles at Christmas time. The candles came in packets of dozens. How many packets of candles arrived?

Solution:

Each packet has a dozen candles, and the total number is 72.

To find the number of dozens in 72, divide 72 by 12.

$72 \div 12 = 6$

Therefore, there were 6 packets of candles.

4. Susie sold a “small gross” of Girl Scout cookies. How many cookies did she sell?

Solution:

Ten dozen are called a “small gross.”

So, Susie sold 10 dozen cookies. A dozen here refers to 12 cookies.

10 dozen will have $10 \times 12 = 120$ cookies.

Therefore, 120 cookies were sold by Susie.

5. How many dozens make up the number 240?

Solution:

To find the number of dozens in 240, divide 240 by 12.

$240 \div 12 = 20$

Therefore, 20 dozens make up the number 240.

Practice Problems on Dozen

Frequently Asked Questions on Dozen