2/14/22, 11:42 PM Number System (Definition, Types, Conversion & Examples)

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Number System

The number system or the numeral system is the system of naming or representing
numbers. We know that a number is a mathematical value that helps to count or measure
objects and it helps in performing various mathematical calculations. There are different
types of number systems in Maths like decimal number system, binary number system,
octal number system, hexadecimal number system. In this article, we are going to learn
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what is a number system in Maths? different types, conversion procedures with many
number system examples in detail. Also, check mathematics for grade 12
(https://byjus.com/maths/what-is-mathematics/) here.
Table of Contents:
Definition
Types
Chart
Conversions
Examples
Video
Questions
Number System in Computers
FAQs

What is Number System in Maths?

A number system is defined as a system of writing to express numbers. It is the
mathematical notation for representing numbers of a given set by using digits or other
symbols in a consistent manner. It provides a unique representation of every number and
represents the arithmetic and algebraic structure of the figures. It also allows us to operate
arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction and division.
The value of any digit in a number can be determined by:
The digit
Its position in the number
The base of the number system

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system-pdf/)

Before discussing the different types of number system examples, first, let us discuss what
is a number?

What is a Number?
A number is a mathematical value used for counting or measuring or labelling objects.
Numbers are used to performing arithmetic calculations. Examples of numbers are natural
numbers, whole numbers, rational and irrational numbers, etc. 0 is also a number that
represents a null value.
A number has many other variations such as even and odd numbers, prime and composite
numbers. Even and odd terms are used when a number is divisible by 2 or not, whereas
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2/14/22, 11:42 PM Number System (Definition, Types, Conversion & Examples)

In a number system, these numbers are used as digits. 0 and 1 are the most common
digits in the number system, that are used to represent binary numbers. On the other hand,
0 to 9 digits are also used for other number systems. Let us learn here the types of number
systems.
×
Types of Number System
There are various types of number systems in mathematics. The four most common
number system types are:
1. Decimal number system (Base- 10)
2. Binary number system (Base- 2)
3. Octal number system (Base-8)
4. Hexadecimal number system (Base- 16)
Now, let us discuss the different types of number systems with examples.

Decimal Number System (Base 10 Number System)

The decimal number system has a base 10 because it uses ten digits from 0 to 9. In the
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decimal number system, the positions successive to the left of the decimal point represent
units, tens, hundreds, thousands and so on. This system is expressed in decimal numbers
(https://byjus.com/maths/decimals/). Every position shows a particular power of the base
(10).
Example of Decimal Number System:
The decimal number 1457 consists of the digit 7 in the units position, 5 in the tens place, 4
in the hundreds position, and 1 in the thousands place whose value can be written as
(1×103) + (4×102) + (5×101) + (7×100)
(1×1000) + (4×100) + (5×10) + (7×1)
1000 + 400 + 50 + 7
1457

Binary Number System (Base 2 Number System)

The base 2 number system is also known as the Binary number system
(https://byjus.com/maths/binary-number-system/) wherein, only two binary digits exist, i.e.,
0 and 1. Specifically, the usual base-2 is a radix of 2. The figures described under this
system are known as binary numbers which are the combination of 0 and 1. For example,
110101 is a binary number.
We can convert any system into binary and vice versa.
Example
Write (14)10 as a binary number.
Solution:

Base 2 Number System Example

∴ (14)10 = 11102
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Octal Number System (Base 8 Number System)
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2/14/22, 11:42 PM Number System (Definition, Types, Conversion & Examples)

In the octal number system (https://byjus.com/maths/octal-number-system/), the base is 8

and it uses numbers from 0 to 7 to represent numbers. Octal numbers are commonly used
in computer applications. Converting an octal number to decimal is the same as decimal
conversion and is explained below using an example.
Example: Convert 2158 into decimal. ×
Solution:
2158 = 2 × 82 + 1 × 81 + 5 × 80
= 2 × 64 + 1 × 8 + 5 × 1
= 128 + 8 + 5
= 14110

Hexadecimal Number System (Base 16 Number System)

In the hexadecimal system, numbers are written or represented with base 16. In the hex
system, the numbers are first represented just like in decimal system, i.e. from 0 to 9. Then,
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the numbers are represented using the alphabets a Free
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The below-given table shows
the representation of numbers in the hexadecimal number system
(https://byjus.com/maths/hexadecimal-number-system/).

Hexadecimal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F

Decimal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Number System Chart

In the number system chart, the base values and the digits of different number system can
be found. Below is the chart of the numeral system.

Number System Chart

Number System Conversion

Numbers can be represented in any of the number system categories like binary, decimal,
hex, etc. Also, any number which is represented in any of the number system types can be
easily converted to other. Check the detailed lesson on the conversions of number systems
(https://byjus.com/maths/number-system-conversion/) to learn how to convert numbers in
decimal to binary and vice versa, hexadecimal to binary and vice versa, and octal to binary
and vice versa using various examples.
With the help of different conversion procedures explained above, now let us discuss in
brief about the conversion of one number system to the other number system by taking a
random number.
Assume the number 348. Thus, the number 349 in different number systems are as
follows:

The number 349 in the binary number system is 101011101

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The number 349 in the decimal number system is 349.
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2/14/22, 11:42 PM Number System (Definition, Types, Conversion & Examples)

The number 349 in the octal number system is 535.

The number 349 in the hexadecimal number system is 15D

Number System Examples

Example 1: ×
Convert (1056)16 to octal number.
Solution:
Given, 105616 is an hex number.
First we need to convert the given hexadecimal number into decimal number
(1056)16
= 1 x 163 + 0 x 162 + 5 x 161 + 6 x 160
= 4096 + 0 + 80 + 6
= (4182)10
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Now we will convert this decimal number to the required octal number by repetitively
dividing by 8.

8 4182 Remainder
8 522 6

8 65 2
8 8 1
8 1 0
0 1

Therefore, taking the value of remainder from bottom to top, we get;

(4182)10 = (10126)8
Therefore,
(1056)16 = (10126)8
Example 2:
Convert (1001001100)2 to decimal number.
Solution:
(1001001100)2
= 1 x 29 + 0 x 28 + 0 x 27 + 1 x 26 + 0 x 25 + 0 x 24 + 1 x 23 + 1 x 22 + 0 x 21 + 0 x 20
= 512 + 64 + 8 + 4
= (588)10
Example 3:
Convert 101012 into an octal number.
Solution:
Given,
101012 is the binary number
We can write the given binary number as:
010 101

Now as we know, in octal number system,

010 → 2
101 → 5
Therefore, the required octal number is 258
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Example 4:
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2/14/22, 11:42 PM Number System (Definition, Types, Conversion & Examples)

Convert hexadecimal 2C to decimal number.

Solution:
We need to convert 2C16 into binary numbers first.
2C → 00101100 ×
Now convert 001011002 into a decimal number.
101100 = 1×25+1×23+1×22
=32+8+4
=44

Video Lesson on Numeral System

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6,727

Number System Questions

1. Convert (242)10 into hexadecimal. [Answer: (F2)16]
2. Convert 0.52 into an octal number. [Answer: 4121]
3. Subtract 11012 and 10102. [Answer: 0010]
4. Represent 5C6 in decimal. [Answer:1478]
5. Represent binary number 1.1 in decimal. [Answer: 1.5]
Also Check: Binary Operations (https://byjus.com/maths/binary-operation/)

Computer Numeral System (Number System in Computers)

When we type any letter or word, the computer translates them into numbers since
computers can understand only numbers. A computer can understand only a few symbols
called digits and these symbols describe different values depending on the position they
hold in the number. In general, the binary number system is used in computers. However,
the octal, decimal and hexadecimal systems are also used sometimes.

More Topics Related to Number Systems

Number System for Class 9 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths
(https://byjus.com/maths/number-system- Chapter 1- Number Systems
for-class-9/) (https://byjus.com/ncert-solutions-class-
9-maths/chapter-1-number-systems/)

Important Questions Class 9 Maths Chapter Number System Class 9 Notes – Chapter
1 Number System 1 (https://byjus.com/cbse-notes/cbse-
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2/14/22, 11:42 PM Number System (Definition, Types, Conversion & Examples)

Frequently Asked Questions on Number System

What is Number System and its Types?
The number system is simply a system to represent or express numbers. There are various
types of number systems and the most commonly used ones are decimal number system,×
binary number system, octal number system, and hexadecimal number system.

Why is the Number System Important?

The number system helps to represent numbers in a small symbol set. Computers, in
general, use binary numbers 0 and 1 to keep the calculations simple and to keep the
amount of necessary circuitry less, which results in the least amount of space, energy
consumption and cost.

What is Base 1 Number System Called?

The base 1 number system is called the unary numeral system and is the simplest numeral
system to represent natural numbers.
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What is the equivalent binary number for the decimal number 43?
To find the equivalent binary number, we need to divide 43 by 2, until we get 0 as the result.
Therefore, (43)10 = 1010112

How to convert 308 into a decimal number?

308 = (3×81)+(0×80) = 24

Quiz on Number system

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs. Click ‘Start Quiz’ to
begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

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