Number System: The number system, also known as the numeral system, serves as our way of naming or representing numbers. These numbers, fundamental to mathematics, facilitate counting, measuring, and various mathematical calculations. This article breaks down what a number system is, the various types, and how to convert between them with lots of examples.
The number system, or numeral system, is how we name or represent numbers. Numbers are those mathematical values we use to count, measure things, and perform various math calculations. In math, we have different systems for expressing numbers, such as the decimal system we commonly use, the binary system, octal system, and the hexadecimal system.
There exist diverse number systems in mathematics, including the commonly used decimal system, binary system, octal system, and hexadecimal system. Each system has its unique way of expressing numbers and is essential for different applications.
A number, in essence, is a mathematical value utilized for counting, measuring, or labeling objects. Numbers are the foundation for performing arithmetic calculations, offering variations such as natural numbers, whole numbers, rational and irrational numbers. Even 0 holds significance as a number, representing a null value.
Numbers come in various forms, with distinctions between even and odd numbers, as well as prime and composite numbers. Even and odd categorizations are based on divisibility by 2, while prime and composite numbers differentiate between those with only two factors and those with more than two factors, respectively.
In the context of a number system, these numbers serve as digits. For instance, binary numbers predominantly use 0 and 1 as digits, while other systems employ digits ranging from 0 to 9. Understanding these number systems is integral to navigating the diverse ways we represent numbers in mathematics.
There exist various ways to represent numbers. The four most common types are:
Understanding these number systems provides a foundation for diverse mathematical applications and computer-related fields.
Numbers can wear different outfits like binary, decimal, or hexadecimal. What's cool is that we can easily switch between them! Learn the ropes of these conversions, from decimal to binary and vice versa, or from hexadecimal to binary and back. It's like translating numbers into different languages but in the math world.
Let's Dive into Conversions
Using the conversion procedures we've just learned, let's take a random number, say 349, and see how it looks in different number systems:
Example 1: Hex to Octal
Let's turn (1056)₁₆ into an octal number. First, convert the hex number to decimal - 4182. Now, by repeatedly dividing by 8, we get (1056)₁₆ = (10126)₈.
Example 2: Binary to Decimal
Take (1001001100)₂. Breaking it down, we get 588 in decimal.
Example 3: Binary to Octal
Convert 10101₂ into octal. Split it as 010 101, and in octal, it reads (25)₈.
Example 4: Hex to Decimal
Turn 2C₁₆ into binary - 00101100. Then, convert to decimal - 44.
Want a challenge? Try converting (242)₁₀ into hexadecimal, making 0.52 an octal number, or subtracting 110₁₂ from 101₀₂. Test your skills with 5C₆ in decimal or representing binary 1.1 in its decimal form.
1. Convert the decimal number (156)₁₀ into binary.
2. Represent the octal number 765₈ in decimal form.
3. Convert the hexadecimal number 1A3₁₆ into its decimal equivalent.
4. Add the binary numbers 1101₂ and 101₁₀.
5. Change the decimal number (255)₁₀ into its hexadecimal representation.
6. Subtract the octal numbers 527₈ and 314₈.
7. Multiply the binary numbers 101₁₀ and 110₁₀.
8. Convert the hexadecimal number 3F₁₆ into its octal equivalent.
9. Divide the decimal number (648)₁₀ by 9.
10. Represent the fraction 0.75 in binary.
Ever wonder how computers understand our words? Well, they speak in numbers! Computers, being numerical wizards, use the binary system but sometimes dabble in octal, decimal, and hexadecimal. It's like a secret code that makes our digital world tick.