Chapter 1

Number System

After studying Chapter 1, you should be able to:

* recognize different types of number systems as they relate to computers

* identify and define unit, number, base/radix, positional notation, and most and
least significant digit as they relate to decimal, binary, octal and hexadecimal
number system
* perform conversion on the different type of number system
* learn how to compute the 1’s and 2’s complement of a binary number
* perform mathematical operation using binary number

In this chapter, let us discuss about the popular number systems and how to represent a number in the
respective number system. The following number systems are the most commonly used.

 Decimal Number system

 Binary Number system
  Octal Number system
 Hexadecimal Number system

Decimal Number System

The base or radix of Decimal number system is 10. So, the numbers ranging from 0 to 9 are used
in this number system.
In this number system, the successive positions to the left of the decimal point having weights of 10 0,
101, 102, 103 and so on. That means, each position has specific weight, which is power of base 10

Example

Consider the decimal number 1358. Integer part of this number is 1358. The digits 8, 5, 3 and 1 have
weights of 100, 101, 102 and 103 respectively.
Mathematically, we can write it as
1358 = (1 × 103) + (3 × 102) + (5 × 101) + (8 × 100)
After simplifying the right hand side terms, we will get the decimal number, which is on left hand side

Binary Number System

All digital circuits and systems use this binary number system. The base or radix of this number
system is 2. So, the numbers 0 and 1 are used in this number system.
In this number system, the successive positions to the left of the binary point having weights of 2 0, 21, 22,
23 and so on. That means, each position has specific weight, which is power of base 2.

Example
Consider the binary number 1101. Integer part of this number is 1101. The digits 1, 0, 1 and 1 of
integer part have weights of 20, 21, 22, 23 respectively.
Mathematically, we can write it as
1101 = (1 × 23) + (1 × 22) + (0 × 21) + (1 × 20)

After simplifying the right hand side terms, we will get a decimal number, which is an equivalent of
binary number on left hand side.

Octal Number System

The base or radix of octal number system is 8. So, the numbers ranging from 0 to 7 are used in
this number system.
In this number system, the successive positions of the octal point having weights of 8 0, 81, 82, 83 and so
on. That means, each position has specific weight, which is power of base 8.

Example

Consider the octal number 1457. The digits 7, 5, 4 and 1 have weights of 80, 81, 82 and 83 respectively.
Mathematically, we can write it as
1457 = (1 × 83) + (4 × 82) + (5 × 81) + (7 × 80)

Hexadecimal Number System

The base or radix of Hexa-decimal number system is 16. So, the numbers ranging from 0 to 9
and the letters from A to F are used in this number system. The decimal equivalent of Hexa-decimal
digits from A to F are 10 to 15.
The part of the number, which lies to the left of the hexadecimal point is known as integer part.
Similarly, the part of the number, which lies to the right of the Hexa-decimal point is known as
fractional part.
In this number system, the successive positions to the left of the Hexa-decimal point having weights of
160, 161, 162, 163 and so on. Similarly, the successive positions to the right of the Hexa-decimal point
having weights of 16-1, 16-2, 16-3 and so on. That means, each position has specific weight, which
is power of base 16.
Example

Consider the Hexa-decimal number 1A05. The digits 5, 0, A and 1 have weights of 16 0, 161, 162 and
163 respectively. Mathematically, we can write it as
1A05 = (1 × 163) + (10 × 162) + (0 × 161) + (5 × 160)
After simplifying the right hand side terms, we will get a decimal number, which is an equivalent of
Hexa-decimal number on left hand side.

Base Conversion

In previous topic, we have seen the four prominent number systems. In this topic, let us convert the
numbers from one number system to the other in order to find the equivalent value. But we will just focus
on Binary Conversion

Decimal to Binary Conversion

Always remember when converting decimal number into its equivalent binary number.

 Division of integer part and successive quotients with base 2.

Example
Consider the decimal number 58. Here, the integer part is 58.
Division of 58 and successive quotients with base 2.

Operation Quotient Remainder

58/2 29 0 LSBLSB

29/2 14 1

14/2 7 0

7/2 3 1

3/2 1 1

½ 0 1MSBMSB
⇒585810 = 1110101110102

Therefore, the binary equivalent of decimal number 58 is 111010.

Binary to other bases

The process of converting a number from binary to decimal is different to the process of
converting a binary number to other bases. Now, let us discuss about the conversion of a binary
number to decimal, octal and Hexa-decimal number systems one by one.

Binary to Decimal Conversion

For converting a binary number into its equivalent decimal number, first multiply the bits of binary
number with the respective positional weights and then add all those products.
Example
Consider the binary number 1101.11.
Mathematically, we can write it as
11012 = (1 × 23) + (1 × 22) + (0 × 21) + (1 × 20)

⇒ 11012 = 8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 13
⇒ 11012 = 1310
Therefore, the decimal equivalent of binary number 1101 is 13.

Binary to Octal Conversion

We know that the bases of binary and octal number systems are 2 and 8 respectively. Three bits of
binary number is equivalent to one octal digit, since 23 = 8.
Follow these two steps for converting a binary number into its equivalent octal number.
 Start from the binary point and make the groups of 3 bits on both sides of binary point. If one or
two bits are less while making the group of 3 bits, then include required number of zeros on
extreme sides.
 Write the octal digits corresponding to each group of 3 bits.

Example
Consider the binary number 11101110.
Step 1 − Make the groups of 3 bits on both sides of binary point.
11 101 110
The last group is having only 2 bits. So, include one zero on extreme side in order to make it as group of
3 bits.
⇒ 011 101 110
Step 2 – Add 4, 2, and 1 above each of the three binary numbers in a set
4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1
⇒011 101 110
Step 3 – Add the value with 1 in binary

4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1
⇒011 101 110
3 5 6

Step 4 – Place your new converted answers together to form your octal number.
Splitting up the binary number was just to make solving easier -- the original number was one lone string.
So, now that you've converted, put everything back together to get your final answer. That's all it takes.
 Problem:
 Convert 111011102 to octal.
  Separate, add placeholders, mark places, and add totals:
 011 101 110
3—5—6
 Put converted numbers back together:
 356

Therefore, the octal equivalent of binary number111011102 =3568.

Binary to Hexa-Decimal Conversion

We know that the bases of binary and Hexa-decimal number systems are 2 and 16 respectively. Four bits
of binary number is equivalent to one Hexa-decimal digit, since 2 4 = 16.
Follow these two steps for converting a binary number into its equivalent Hexa-decimal number.
 Start from the binary point and make the groups of 4 bits on both sides of binary point. If some
bits are less while making the group of 4 bits, then include required number of zeros on extreme
sides.
 Write the Hexa-decimal digits corresponding to each group of 4 bits.

Example
Consider the binary number 1111001101
Step 1 − Make the groups of 4 bits on both sides of binary point.
11 1100 1101
Include two zeros on extreme side in order to make it as group of 4 bits.
⇒ 0011 1100 1101
Step 2 – Add 8, 4, 2, and 1 above each of the three binary numbers in a set
8 4 2 1 8 4 2 1 8 4 2 1
⇒0011 1100 1101
Step 3 – Add the value with 1 in binary
 8 4 2 1 8 4 2 1 8 4 2 1
⇒0011 1100 1101
3 12 13

Since it is Hexa-decimal number we convert 12 to C and 13 to D

So 3 12 13 is 3 C D
Step 4 – Place your new converted answers together to form your hexa-decimal number.
Splitting up the binary number was just to make solving easier -- the original number was one lone string.
So, now that you've converted, put everything back together to get your final answer. That's all it takes.
 Problem:
 Convert 11110011012 to hexa-decimal.
 Separate, add placeholders, mark places, and add totals:
 0011 1100 1101
3—C —D
 Put converted numbers back together:
 3CD

Therefore, the hexa-decimal equivalent of binary number 11110011012 =3CD16.