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Network Math | |
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Base 10 number system |
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Numbering systems consist of symbols and
rules for using those symbols. The most commonly used numbering system
is the decimal, or Base 10, numbering system. Base 10 uses the ten
symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. These symbols, can be
combined to represent all possible numeric values.
The decimal number system is based on powers of 10. Each column position of a value, from right to left, is multiplied by the number 10, which is the base number, raised to a power, which is the exponent. The power that 10 is raised to depends on its position to the left of the decimal point. When a decimal number is read from right to left, the first or rightmost position represents 100 (1), the second position represents 101 (10 x 1= 10). The third position represents 102 (10 x 10 =100). The seventh position to the left represents 106 (10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 =1,000,000). This is true no matter how many columns the number has. Example: 2134 = (2x103) + (1x102) + (3x101) + (4x100) There is a 4 in the ones position, a 3 in the tens position, a 1 in the hundreds position, and a 2 in the thousands position. This example seems obvious when the decimal number system is used. Seeing exactly how the decimal system works is important because it is needed to understand two other numbering systems, Base 2 and hexadecimal Base 16. These systems use the same methods as the decimal system.
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