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Number Systems in Computing

Fundamentals of Computer

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ALFRED OCHIENG
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22 views

Number Systems in Computing

Fundamentals of Computer

Uploaded by

ALFRED OCHIENG
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A computer number system is a way of representing numbers in different bases for processing

and computation by computers. These systems include:


1. Binary (Base-2): The fundamental number system in computers, using only two symbols
(0 and 1) to represent all values. Binary is essential because digital systems operate on
binary states (on/off).
2. Decimal (Base-10): The standard numbering system for human use, utilizing ten digits
(0-9). Although computers primarily use binary, decimal is used for interfacing with
humans.
3. Hexadecimal (Base-16): A compact system often used in computing to represent binary
data in a more human-readable form. It uses sixteen symbols (0-9 and A-F) and is
frequently used in programming, memory addresses, and color codes.
4. Octal (Base-8): Once widely used in early computing, it uses eight symbols (0-7) and
provides a shorthand for binary but is now less common.
These number systems allow data to be stored, processed, and displayed efficiently in digital
systems.
Computer Number System Conversions:
1. Binary to Decimal: Convert by multiplying each bit by 2 raised to its position power
(right-to-left starting from 0).
2. Decimal to Binary: Divide the decimal number by 2, record the remainders, and read
them bottom-up.
3. Hexadecimal to Decimal: Multiply each digit by 16 raised to its position power.
Illustration: https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/hexadecimal-to-decimal
4. Decimal to Hexadecimal: Divide by 16, record remainders, and read them bottom-up.
Use letters A-F for values 10-15.
Illustration: https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/decimal-to-hexadecimal
5. Binary to Hexadecimal: Group binary digits in sets of 4 (from right) and convert each
group.
Illustration: https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/binary-to-hexadecimal

Decimal to Binary Conversion


To convert a decimal number to binary, we repeatedly divide the decimal number by 2 and record
the remainder at each step. These remainders give the binary representation when read in reverse
order.
Step-by-Step Conversion Method

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1. Divide the decimal number by 2.
2. Record the remainder (0 or 1).
3. Update the quotient by dividing it by 2.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 with the new quotient until the quotient becomes 0.
5. Read the remainders in reverse order. The result is the binary equivalent.
Example: Convert Decimal 13 to Binary
Let's convert the decimal number 13 to binary.
1. 13 ÷ 2 = 6, remainder = 1
2. 6 ÷ 2 = 3, remainder = 0
3. 3 ÷ 2 = 1, remainder = 1
4. 1 ÷ 2 = 0, remainder = 1
Reading the remainders from bottom to top, 13 in decimal is 1101 in binary.
Practice Example: Convert Decimal 45 to Binary
1. 45 ÷ 2 = 22, remainder = 1
2. 22 ÷ 2 = 11, remainder = 0
3. 11 ÷ 2 = 5, remainder = 1
4. 5 ÷ 2 = 2, remainder = 1
5. 2 ÷ 2 = 1, remainder = 0
6. 1 ÷ 2 = 0, remainder = 1
Reading the remainders from bottom to top, 45 in decimal is 101101 in binary.

Binary to Decimal Conversion


To convert a binary number to decimal, we use the positional values of each binary digit (bit). In
binary, each bit represents a power of 2, with the rightmost bit representing 20, the next bit
representing 21 and so on.
Here's the method for converting binary to decimal:
Step-by-Step Conversion Method
1. Write down the binary number.

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2. Assign powers of 2 to each bit, starting from the rightmost bit (which is 20) and moving
left.
3. Multiply each bit by its corresponding power of 2.
4. Add up the results to get the decimal value.
Example: Convert Binary 1101 to Decimal
Let's convert the binary number 1101 to decimal.
1. Write down the binary number with its positional values:
o 1×23=8
o 1×22=4
o 0×21=0
o 1×20=1
2. Add up the results:
o 8+4+0+1=13
So, 1101 in binary is 13 in decimal.
Practice Example: Convert Binary 101101 to Decimal
1. Write down the binary number with its positional values:
o 1×25=32
o 0×24=0
o 1×23=8
o 1×22=4
o 0×21=0
o 1×20=1
2. Add up the results:
o 32+0+8+4+0+1=45
So, 101101 in binary is 45 in decimal.

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