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NUMBER SYSTEM

The document explains the basics of number systems used in computers, including decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal systems. It details how each system represents numbers, their positional values, and provides examples of converting numbers between these systems. Additionally, it outlines the characteristics of each number system and how computer memory is measured in bits and bytes.

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sohamkangulwar88
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4 views

NUMBER SYSTEM

The document explains the basics of number systems used in computers, including decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal systems. It details how each system represents numbers, their positional values, and provides examples of converting numbers between these systems. Additionally, it outlines the characteristics of each number system and how computer memory is measured in bits and bytes.

Uploaded by

sohamkangulwar88
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basics of Computers - Number System

A number is a mathematical value used for counting or measuring or labelling objects. Numbers are used to
performing arithmetic calculations.

The technique to represent and work with numbers is called number system. When we type some letters
or words, the computer translates them in numbers as computers can understand only numbers.

Decimal number system is the most common number system. Other popular number systems
include binary number system, octal number system, hexadecimal number system, etc.

Decimal Number System


The number system that we use in our day-to-day life is the decimal number system.
Decimal number system is a base 10 number system having 10 digits from 0 to 9.
This means that any numerical quantity can be represented using these 10 digits. Decimal number
system is also a positional value system. This means that the value of digits will depend on its
position. Let us take an example to understand this.
Each position represents a specific power of the base (10).
For example, the decimal number 1234 consists of the digit 4 in the units position, 3 in the tens
position, 2 in the hundreds position, and 1 in the thousands position. Its value can be written as
(1 x 1000)+ (2 x 100)+ (3 x 10)+ (4 x l)
(1 x 103)+ (2 x 102)+ (3 x 101)+ (4 x l00)
1000 + 200 + 30 + 4
1234
The weightage of each position can be represented as follows −
In digital systems, instructions are given through electric signals; variation is done by varying the
voltage of the signal. Having 10 different voltages to implement decimal number system in digital
equipment is difficult. So, many number systems that are easier to implement digitally have been
developed. Let’s look at them in detail.

Binary Number System


The easiest way to vary instructions through electric signals is two-state system – on and off. On is
represented as 1 and off as 0, though 0 is not actually no signal but signal at a lower voltage. The
number system having just these two digits – 0 and 1 – is called binary number system.
Each binary digit is also called a bit. Binary number system is also positional value system, where
each digit has a value expressed in powers of 2, as displayed here.
And decimal equivalent of this number is sum of product of each digit with its positional value.
110102 = 1×24 + 1×23 + 0×22 + 1×21 + 0×20
= 16 + 8 + 0 + 2 + 0
= 2610
Computer memory is measured in terms of how many bits it can store. Here is a chart for memory
capacity conversion.

 1 byte (B) = 8 bits


 1 Kilobytes (KB) = 1024 bytes
 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
 1 Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB
 1 Exabyte (EB) = 1024 PB
 1 Zettabyte = 1024 EB
 1 Yottabyte (YB) = 1024 ZB

Octal Number System


Octal number system has eight digits – 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Octal number system is also a
positional value system with where each digit has its value expressed in powers of 8,
Decimal equivalent of any octal number is sum of product of each digit with its positional value.
7268 = 7×82 + 2×81 + 6×80
= 448 + 16 + 6
= 47010

Hexadecimal Number System


Octal number system has 16 symbols – 0 to 9 and A to F where A is equal to 10, B is equal to 11
and so on till F. Hexadecimal number system is also a positional value system with where each

digit has its value expressed in powers of 16, as shown here −


Decimal equivalent of any hexadecimal number is sum of product of each digit with its positional
value.
27FB16 = 2×163 + 7×162 + 15×161 + 10×160
= 8192 + 1792 + 240 +10
= 1023410

S.No. Number System and Description

1 Binary Number System


Base 2. Digits used : 0, 1

2 Octal Number System


Base 8. Digits used : 0 to 7
3 Hexa Decimal Number System
Base 16. Digits used: 0 to 9, Letters used : A- F

Binary Number System


Characteristics of the binary number system are as follows −
 Uses two digits, 0 and 1
 Also called as base 2 number system
 Each position in a binary number represents a 0 power of the base (2). Example 20
 Last position in a binary number represents a x power of the base (2). Example
2x where x represents the last position - 1.
Example
Binary Number: 101012
Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Binary Number Decimal Number

Step 1 101012 ((1 x 24) + (0 x 23) + (1 x 22) + (0 x 21) + (1 x 20))10

Step 2 101012 (16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1)10

Step 3 101012 2110

Note − 101012 is normally written as 10101.

Octal Number System


Characteristics of the octal number system are as follows −
 Uses eight digits, 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7
 Also called as base 8 number system
 Each position in an octal number represents a 0 power of the base (8). Example 80
 Last position in an octal number represents a x power of the base (8). Example
8x where x represents the last position - 1
Example
Octal Number: 125708
Calculating Decimal Equivalent –

Step Octal Number Decimal Number


Step 1 125708 ((1 x 84) + (2 x 83) + (5 x 82) + (7 x 81) + (0 x 80))10

Step 2 125708 (4096 + 1024 + 320 + 56 + 0)10

Step 3 125708 549610

Note − 125708 is normally written as 12570.

Hexadecimal Number System


Characteristics of hexadecimal number system are as follows −
 Uses 10 digits and 6 letters, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F
 Letters represent the numbers starting from 10. A = 10. B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F =
15
 Also called as base 16 number system
 Each position in a hexadecimal number represents a 0 power of the base (16). Example, 160
 Last position in a hexadecimal number represents a x power of the base (16). Example
16x where x represents the last position - 1
Example
Hexadecimal Number: 19FDE16
Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Binary Decimal Number


Number

Step 1 19FDE16 ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (F x 162) + (D x 161) + (E x 160))10

Step 2 19FDE16 ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (15 x 162) + (13 x 161) + (14 x 160))10

Step 3 19FDE16 (65536+ 36864 + 3840 + 208 + 14)10

Step 4 19FDE16 10646210

Note − 19FDE16 is normally written as 19FDE.

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