Number bases
Humans tend to use the The number system most commonly used by people. It contains 10 unique digits 0 to 9. Also known as decimal or base 10. number system. However, computers work in A number system that contains two symbols, 0 and 1. Also known as base 2.. Decimal is the most common human number system and was developed because people had access to ten physical A single whole number value from 0 to 9, especially when used in a larger number. For example, the number 752 has 3 digits. to count on, their fingers and ten toes!
Decimal numbers must be converted into their binary equivalent before a computer can use them.
The decimal system has ten digits - 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Each decimal place value is calculated by multiplying the previous place value by ten. For example:
| 10,000 | 1,000 | 100 | 10 | 1 |
| 10,000 |
| 1,000 |
| 100 |
| 10 |
| 1 |
So, the value of the number 124 in decimal place values is actually:
| Place value | 10,000 | 1,000 | 100 | 10 | 1 |
| Value | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Place value | Value |
|---|---|
| 10,000 | 0 |
| 1,000 | 0 |
| 100 | 1 |
| 10 | 2 |
| 1 | 4 |
This gives (1 × 100) + (2 × 10) + (1 × 4) = 124
