Answer:

The numbers we use in everyday life are based on counting in tens.

For example:

34 means 3 lots of ten and 4 singles units. 528 means 5 lots of hundred, 2 lots of ten and 8 units. 4916 means 4 lots of a thousand, 9 lots of a hundred, 1 lot of ten and 6 units. We count in base ten because we have ten fingers and thumbs. If we used only One hand we might count in groups of five (base five). Then this number of matchsticks could be written as 34 five meaning 3 lots of five and 4 units.