Number Systems in Digital Electronics.

Number system is nothing but representing the information on a digital data basis. There are four types of number system, they are:

1. Decimal Number System.
2. Binary Number System.
3. Octal Number System.
4. Hexadecimal Number System.

Now, let’s look into the explanation of each number system.

Decimal Number System :

It represents any decimal number in units, tens, hundreds, thousands and so on. It is composed of 10 symbols- 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9. Using these digits you can express any quantity. This system is also called as base 10 system because it makes use of ten digits, where the subscript “10” indicates the radix or base value. In decimal system the weight is expressed as power of 10.

Binary Number System :

Binary system with its two digits is a base-two system. The two binary digits (bits) are 1 and 0. In binary system, weight is expressed as a power of 2. Where the subscript “2” indicates radix. Generally computers and electronic embedded devices use binary form to store data. Basic rules of binary addition are :

Rule 1: 0+0=0

Rule 2: 0+1=1

Rule 3: 1+0=1

Rule 4: 1+1=0 (Carry 1 to the next Most Significant Digit (MSD) )

Octal Number System :

Get Ahamed Basha N’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

Remember me for faster sign in

The Octal Number system system uses first eight digits of decimal number system, that is : 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7. And its base value or radix is 8 since it uses only 8 digit combination. In Octal System the weight is expressed as a power of 8.

Hexadecimal Number System :

The Hexadecimal Number System has a base of 16 having 16 characters, they are 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E and F. Hexadecimal number system forms backbone of digital system of Microprocessors and Micro-controllers. Our IP address of electronic gadgets are formed using Hexadecimal Number System. The weight is expressed as a power of 16.

Important Notes :

1. The leftmost digit, which has greatest weight is called the Most Significant Digit (MSD) and the rightmost digit, which has the least weight is called the Least Significant Digit (LSD).
2. All number systems can be converted into another form of number systems using suitable conversion methods.

Scientific Note:

1. Single digit in the binary number is called a bit. For Example : Consider a binary number 0001. In this the digit 1 is a bit.
2. Four binary digits forms a nibble.
3. Eight binary digits forms a byte.
4. Sixteen binary digits forms a word.
5. Thirty-two binary digits forms a double word.

Relation between the number systems :

“Thank you for having a valuable with my article, I hope you have expanded your logical capabilities with Number Systems. All the best for your future endeavours”

Re-define the logical pathway.