Number Systems

The very basic step in mathematics education are counting numbers, which children learn at a very tender age. Come to think of it however, what really is a number? How was the association of objects and numbers made? These are certainly not naturally existing number systems and concepts.

Rather, they are conventional methods that were agreed upon to facilitate uniform referencing systems.

The Decimal System: Our Everyday Number System

The most common of these systems is the Decimal system which we use daily. It consists of ten digits that are used systematically to represent numerical values. These are zero up to nine.

 

Different Types of Number Systems

There are actually four number systems that are used for various purposes.

These are:

• Binary system,
• Octal system,
• Decimal system,
• and Hexadecimal system.

Each system was generated for a specific purpose that makes it most efficient. Modern gadgets for example greatly utilize the binary system to process information since it consists of only two digits; zero and one.

This makes programming easy and machines more efficient. The Decimal, on the other hand, is easier to comprehend for humans and minimizes the number of figures in value.

The other two number systems help to bridge the gap between the common decimal system and the binary system.

Imagine if our gadgets and machines like the ATM were to give values in their binary format. An $18 Balance would appear as Binary $10010. People would get pretty confused and more prone to calculation errors.

 

Why We Use Different Number Systems

A number system can, therefore, be defined as a way of expressing values in a mathematical notation or sequence using digits or symbols in a consistent manner.

However, the same sequence used in one system can still be used to represent a different numeral system. Number systems can also be alphanumeric.

The term alphanumeric refers to the use of both digits and alphabetical characters to represent a value.

An example of this is the use of the phrase 1K to represent one thousand. It is worth noting that the complexity of any number systems comes from the familiarity levels.

The more one calculates using any particular system, the easier it becomes to comprehend. Coding experts have been known to struggle to revert back to the decimal system after working on long projects using the Binary number system.

 

The Importance of Mastering Number Systems

 

Mathematics is a very important subject, needs to be mastered as there are many complex topics present in it which many students face difficulties to understand.

It needs to be learned with attention and concentration and there are various tricks and tips which can help students to solve complex problem sums in a short time.

Join our innovative classes of secondary maths tuition, primary mathematics tuition, JC maths tuition where you will get to know about all the easy tricks and tips from our best in class faculty team of Singapore.

 

FAQS:

 

What are number systems?

Number systems are methods used to express values using digits or symbols in a consistent manner. The most common systems are Binary, Decimal, Octal, and Hexadecimal.

 

What are counting systems?

Counting systems are systems used to represent numbers in a specific sequence. For example, the Decimal system is a counting system that uses ten digits (0-9).

 

How many number systems are there?

There are four main number systems used for different purposes: Binary, Octal, Decimal, and Hexadecimal.

 

Why do we use different number systems?

Different number systems are used for efficiency in various fields. The Binary system is used in computing, while the Decimal system is more suitable for everyday human use.

 

What is an alphanumeric number system?

An alphanumeric system uses both digits and letters to represent values. For example, 1K can represent one thousand.