Category: Number Systems and Data Representation

Introduction In modern computing, numbers are not limited to integers. Many applications require handling numbers with fractional parts, such as 3.14, 0.0012, or 2.71828. Representing these numbers in a computer system requires a specialized method known as floating-point representation. Unlike integers, which can be stored exactly in binary, fractional numbers present unique challenges, particularly when…

Overview Data representation in computers is a fundamental concept that enables digital systems to encode, process, store, and transmit information efficiently. Computers operate using electronic circuits, which can distinguish only between two states: on and off, or equivalently, 1 and 0. As a result, all forms of data, whether it is text, images, audio, or…

Introduction In the world of computing, numbers are primarily represented in binary form, using only two digits: 0 and 1. Binary arithmetic is the foundation of all computer operations, as every computation, from simple addition to complex processing, ultimately relies on the manipulation of binary numbers. Binary arithmetic is simpler than decimal arithmetic because there…

Introduction The octal number system is a numeral system with a base of 8, using digits from 0 to 7. It is one of the positional number systems, similar to the familiar decimal system (base 10) and the binary system (base 2). While the octal system is used less frequently in modern computing, it was…

Introduction The hexadecimal number system, also known as base 16, is an essential part of computing and digital electronics. Unlike the decimal system, which uses ten symbols (0-9), the hexadecimal system uses 16 symbols, ranging from 0 to 9 and A to F, where A represents 10, B represents 11, up to F which represents…

Introduction The decimal number system is the most widely used number system in human history. It is also known as the base-10 system because it uses ten digits, from 0 to 9, to represent all numerical values. Humans have historically relied on decimal counting because it corresponds naturally to our ten fingers, which were likely…

Overview The binary number system is the foundation of computer science and digital electronics. Unlike the decimal system, which uses ten digits (0–9), the binary system uses only two digits: 0 and 1. These two digits represent the two possible states of digital circuits, often interpreted as off/on, false/true, or low/high voltage. Computers rely on…

Introduction Numbers are fundamental to human life, serving as tools for counting, measuring, and calculating. In computing, numbers take on an even more crucial role, forming the basis for all operations, storage, and communication within a computer system. However, the way numbers are represented in computers differs significantly from the familiar decimal system that humans…