What is Number System ?
A number system is a method to represent numbers mathematically. It can use arithmetic operations to
represent every number uniquely. To represent a number, it requires a base or radix.
Types of Number System
There are four common types of number systems based on the radix or base of the number :
1. Decimal number system or Base 10 number system
2. Binary number system or Base 2 number system
3. Octal number system or Base 8 number system
4. Hexadecimal number system or Base 16 number system
1. Decimal to Binary Number System
To convert from decimal to binary, start dividing decimal
number by 2, and whatever the reminder getting, writing down
from bottom to top, and that will be the binary number
representation of the decimal number. And the number
contains fractional part, then multiply 2 in the fractional part.
Example
(10.25)10
Note: Keep multiplying the fractional part with 2 until
decimal part 0.00 is obtained.
(0.25)10 = (0.01)2
Answer: (10.25)10 = (1010.01)2
2. Binary to Decimal Number System
To convert from binary to decimal, start multiplying the exponent of 2 with each digit of the number in
decreasing order. If the number contains fractional part then will divide it by the exponent of 2.
Example
(1010.01)2
1x23 + 0x22 + 1x21+ 0x20 + 0x2 -1 + 1x2 -2 = 8+0+2+0+0+0.25 = 10.25
(1010.01)2 = (10.25)10
Number System and conversion pg. 1
3. Decimal to Octal Number System
To convert from decimal to octal, start dividing decimal number by 8, and whatever the reminder getting,
writing down from bottom to top, and that will be the octal number representation of the decimal number.
And the number contains fractional part, then multiply 8 in the fractional part.
Example
(10.25)10
(10)10 = (12)8
Fractional part:
0.25 x 8 = 2.00
Note: Keep multiplying the fractional part with 8 until decimal part .00 is obtained.
(.25)10 = (.2)8
Answer: (10.25)10 = (12.2)8
4. Octal to Decimal Number System
To convert from octal to decimal, start multiplying the exponent of 8 with each digit of the number in
decreasing order. If the number contains fractional part then will divide it by the exponent of 8.
Example
(12.2)8
1 x 81 + 2 x 80 +2 x 8-1 = 8+2+0.25 = 10.25
(12.2)8 = (10.25)10
5. Hexadecimal to Binary Number System
To convert from Hexadecimal to Binary, write the 4-bit
binary equivalent of hexadecimal.
Example
(3A)16 = (00111010)2
6. Binary to Hexadecimal Number System
To convert from Binary to Hexadecimal, start grouping the bits in groups of 4 from the right-end and write
the equivalent hexadecimal for the 4-bit binary. Add extra 0’s on the left to adjust the groups.
Number System and conversion pg. 2
Example
1111011011
0011 1101 1011
(001111011011 )2 = (3DB)16
7. Binary to Octal Number System
To convert from binary to octal, start grouping the bits in groups of 3 from the right end and write the
equivalent octal for the 3-bit binary. Add 0’s on the left to adjust the groups.
Example
111101101
111 101 101
(111101101)2 = (755)8
Conclusion
In the conclusion, number system provides a representation of a number with respect to the given base or
radix. Basically, we have common types of number system named as binary number system, decimal number
system, octal number system and hexadecimal number system.
Number System and conversion pg. 3
