week 1 part 3 Number Systems

We humans, use the alphabet to create words to create sentences that make sense when we speak. And if by any chance, someone uses numbers to speak instead of words, that will sound insane. In case of computers, it’s the other way around. Words don’t make sense to computers. They understand a strange language created through these number systems listed below.

• Decimal number systems: Ten numerals are included in this number system which are as follows. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. These numbers have a base (also known as radix) of 10 Written as X₁₀.

• Binary number systems: Only two numerals are included in this system. They are, 0 & 1.These two numbers are also known as BITS. Binary numbers have a base/radix of 2, written as X₂. This is the number system used by computers. All the information in the digital computer is represented as bit patterns.

• Octal number systems: Eight numerals are used to form a string of numbers. They are, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Octal numbers have a base or radix of eight, written as, X

• Hexadecimal Number systems: Sixteen symbols (numerals + letters) are used to form a string of numbers in this number system. They are, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E and F. Also known as Hex. Binary numbers have a base of sixteen, written as X. This number system is used to represent digital data.

These number systems are quite confusing. Specially when it comes to conversion of number systems. The one who invented these for sure must be a genius.