Number Representation

and Calculation
A number is an abstract idea that addresses the question, “How many?”

A numeral is a symbol used to represent a number.

• For example, the answer to “How many kittens?” is a number, but as

soon as we use a word or symbol to describe that number we are using
a numeral.
Different symbols may be used to represent the same number.
Numerals used to represent how many kittens are shown
include
A system of numeration consists of a set of basic numerals and
rules for combining them to represent numbers.

Today we use a system of writing numerals that was invented

in India and brought to Europe by the Arabs. Our numerals are
therefore called Hindu-Arabic numerals
Our Hindu-Arabic Numeration System

An important characteristic of our Hindu-Arabic system is that

we can write the numeral for any number, large or small, using
only ten symbols. The ten symbols that we use are

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

These symbols are called digits

• With the use of exponents, Hindu-Arabic numerals can be
written in expanded form in which the value of the digit in
each position is made clear.

• In a Hindu-Arabic numeral, the place value of the first digit

on the right is 1. The place value of the second digit from the
right is 10. The place value of the third digit from the right is
100, or 102.

578 = (5×100) + (7×10) + (8×1)

= (5×102) + (7×101) + (8×1)
• the place value of the first digit on the right is 1. The place
value of the second digit from the right is 10. The place value
of the third digit from the right is 100, or 10 2.

578 = (5×100) + (7×10) + (8×1)

= (5×102) + (7×101) + (8×1)

• Because the value of a digit varies according to the position it

occupies in a numeral, the Hindu-Arabic numeration system
is called a positional-value, or place-value, system. The
positional values in the system are based on powers of 10 and
are …, 105. 104, 103, 102, 101, 1.
The Hindu-Arabic system uses powers of 10. However,
positional systems can use powers of any number, not just 10.
Think about our system of time, based on powers of 60

1 minute = 60 seconds

1 hour = 60 minutes = 60 × 60 seconds = 60 2 seconds

The Babylonian Numeration System

The Babylonian system uses only two symbols,  for 1

and < for 10.

The place values in the Babylonian system use powers of 60.

The place values are
…, 603, 602, 601, 1.
The Babylonian Numeration System

The Babylonian system uses only two symbols,  for 1

and < for 10. The place values in the Babylonian system use
powers of 60. The place values are
…, 603, 602, 601, 1.

For example,
 << < 

means (1×603) + (10+10) × 602 + (10×601) + (1+1) × 1

= 216,000+72,000+600+2
=288,602
  << < 
• Step 1:
• Step 1:
Write down the place
values …, 603, 602, 601, 1.
• Step 2:
Multiply each digit by its • Step 2:
place value (1×603) + (10+10) × 602 + (10×601) + (1+1)
×1
• Step 3:
Add the results of step 2 • Step 3:
216,000+72,000+600+2 = 288,602
Question
What is a major disadvantage of the Babylonian system?

A major disadvantage of the Babylonian system is that

it did not contain a symbol for zero.
The Mayan Numeration System
• Their numeration system was the first to have a symbol for zero.
The Mayan Numeration System

The place values in the Mayan system are

…, 18×203, 18×202, 18×201, 20, 1.

• Notice that instead of giving the third position a place value of 20 2 ,

the Mayans used 18×201
• This was probably done so that their calendar year of 360 days would
be a basic part of the numeration system.
 Example
Write the following Mayan numeral as a Hindu-Arabic numeral
Binary or Base Two System
The digit symbols in a base two system are 0 and 1.
The place values in a base 2 system are powers of 2:
…, 24, 23, 22, 21, 1.

When a numeral appears without a subscript, it is assumed that the base

is ten. Bases other than ten are indicated with a spelled-out subscript, as
in the numeral
1001two

This numeral is read “one zero zero one base two.”

The place values in a base 2 system are powers of 2:
…, 24, 23, 22, 21, 1.

In the case of 1001two

the numeral has four places.

Multiply each digit in the numeral by it respective place value. Then add
these products.

1001two = (1×23) + (0×22) + (0×21) + (1×1)

= (1×8) + (0×4) + (0×2) + (1×1)

=8+0+0+1
=9
• In any base, the digit symbols begin at 0 and go up to one less than the
base. In base b, the digit symbols begin at 0 and go up to b-1. The
place values in a base b system are powers of b:
…, b4, b3, b2, b1, 1.
The place values in a base 2 system are powers of 2:
…, 24, 23, 22, 21, 1.

In the case of 10two

Multiply each digit in the numeral by it respective place value. Then add
these products.

10two = (1×21) + (0×1)

= (1×2) + (0×1)
=2+0
=2
10two = (1×21) + (0×1)

= (1×2) + (0×1)
=2+0
=2

10six = (1×61) + (0×1)

= (1×6) + (0×1)
=6+0
=6

Therefore, 10b = b
Example

Convert 4726eight to base ten.

The place values in a base 8 system are powers of 8:

…, 84, 83, 82, 81, 1.

4726eight = (4×83) + (7×82) + (2×81) + (6×1)

= 2048 + 448 + 16 + 6
= 2518
Question

Convert 43five to base ten.

Convert 2035six to base ten.

Convert 43five to base ten.

The place values in a base five system are powers of 5:

…, 54, 53, 52, 51, 1.

43five = (4×51) + (3×1)

= 20 + 3
= 23
Convert 2035six to base ten.

The place values in a base six system are powers of 6:

…, 64, 63, 62, 61, 1.

2035six = (2×63) + (0×62) + (3×61) + (5×1)

= 432 + 0 + 18 + 5
= 455
Computer Technology
In computer technology a binary , or base two, system of 0s
and 1s is used.

Because computers use electrical signals that are groups of on–

off pulses of electricity, the digits in base two are convenient.

In binary code, 1 indicates the passage of an electrical pulse

(“on”) and 0 indicates its interruption (“off”).
In addition to base two, computer applications often involve base eight,
called an octal system, and base sixteen, called a hexadecimal system.

Base sixteen presents a problem because digit symbols are needed from
0 up to one less than the base.

This means that we need more digit symbols than the ten (0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) used in our base ten system. Computer programmers
use the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F as base sixteen digit symbols for the
numbers ten through fifteen, respectively.
Additional digit symbols in base sixteen:

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F

A=10
B=11
C=12
D=13
E=14
F=15
Example

Convert DCA5sixteen to base ten.

The place values in a base 16 system are:

…, 164, 163, 162, 161, 1.

DCA5sixteen = (13×163) + (12×162) + (10×161) + (5×1)

= 53248 + 3072 + 160 + 5
= 56,485
Question

Convert EC7sixteen to base ten.

Convert ACE5sixteen to base ten.

Convert EC7sixteen to base ten.

The place values in a base 16 system are:

…, 164, 163, 162, 161, 1.

EC7sixteen = (14×162) + (12×161) + (7×1)

= 3584 + 192 + 7
= 3783
Convert ACE5sixteen to base ten.

The place values in a base 16 system are:

…, 164, 163, 162, 161, 1.

ACE5sixteen = (10×163) + (12×162) + (14×161) + (5×1)

= 40960 + 3072 + 224 + 5
= 44261
Example

Convert 4726eight to base ten.

The place values in a base 8 system are powers of 8:

…, 84, 83, 82, 81, 1.

4726eight = (4×83) + (7×82) + (2×81) + (6×1)

= 2048 + 448 + 16 + 6
= 2518
 Changing Base Ten Numerals to Numerals in Other Bases
To convert a base ten numeral to a numeral in a base other than ten, we need to
find how many groups of each place value are contained in the base ten
numeral.

When the base ten numeral consists of one or two digits, we can do this
mentally. For example, suppose that we want to convert the base ten numeral 6
to a base four numeral. The place values in base four are
…, 44, 43, 42, 41, 1.
The place values that are less than 6 are 4 and 1.
We can express 6 as one group of four and two ones:
6ten = (1×4) + (2×1) = 12four
Example
Convert the base ten numeral 8 to a base five
numeral.

The place values in base five are

…, 54, 53, 52, 51, 1.

The place values that are less than 8 are 5 and 1. We can
express 8 as one group of five and three ones:
8ten = (1×5) + (3×1) = 13five
 Changing Base Ten Numerals to Numerals in Other Bases

Step 1: write down the place values in base b

…, b4, b3, b2, b1, 1.

Step 2: use the place values that are less than the base 10
numeral.

Step 3: use divisions to determine how many groups of each

place value are contained in a base ten numeral.
Example

Convert the base ten numeral 299 to a base eight numeral.

Step 1: write down the place values in base 8

…, 84, 83, 82, 81, 1.

Step 2: use the place values that are less than the base 10
numeral:
64, 8 and 1

Step 3: use divisions to determine how many groups of each

place value are contained in a base ten numeral.
Convert the base ten numeral 299 to a base eight numeral.
…, 84, 83, 82, 81, 1.
the place values that are less than 299:
64, 8 and 1

use divisions to determine how many groups of each place

value are contained in a base ten numeral.
299= (4×64) + (5×8) + (3×1)
= (4×82) + (5×81) + (3×1)
= 453eight
Question:
Convert the base ten numeral 26 to a base two numeral.

Step 1: write down the place values in base 2

…, 24, 23, 22, 21, 1.

Step 2: use the place values that are less than the base 10 numeral:
16, 8, 4, 2 and 1

Step 3: use divisions to determine how many groups of each place

value are contained in a base ten numeral.
Convert the base ten numeral 26 to a base two numeral.

26 = 11010two
Computation in Positional Systems

All computations in bases other than ten are performed

exactly like those in base ten.

However, when a computation is equal to or exceeds the

given base, use the mental conversions discussed in the
previous section to convert from the base ten numeral to
a numeral in the desired base.
Example

Add:

33four
+ 13four
_______

When a computation is equal to or exceeds the given

base, convert from the base ten numeral to a numeral in
the desired base.
• In any base, the digit symbols begin at 0 and go up to one less than the
base. In base b, the digit symbols begin at 0 and go up to b-1. The
place values in a base b system are powers of b:
…, b4, b3, b2, b1, 1.
Add:

33four
+ 13four
_______

In base four, the digit symbols are 0, 1, 2, and 3.

3+3=6

6 is bigger than 3.
6 is not a digit symbol in base four.
 33four
+ 13four
_______
The place values in base 4
…, 44, 43, 42, 41, 1.

3+3=6 and 6 = (1×4) + (2×1)= 12four

1
33four
+ 13four
_______
2
 1
33four
+ 13four
_______
2
1four + 3four + 1four = 5

5 is bigger than 3
5= (1×4) + (1×1)= 11four
 1
33four
+ 13four
_______
112four
Question:

Add:

32five
+ 44five
_______

When a computation is equal to or exceeds the given

base, convert from the base ten numeral to a numeral in
the desired base.
 32five
+ 44five
_______
Subtraction
To subtract in bases other than ten, we line up the digits with
the same place values and subtract column by column,
beginning with the column on the right.

If “borrowing” is necessary to perform the subtraction, borrow

the amount of the base.

For example, when we borrow in base ten subtraction, we

borrow 10s. Likewise, we borrow 2s in base two, 3s in base
three, 4s in base four, and so on.
Example

Subtract:

31four
- 12four
_______

1four - 2four
2four is greater than 1four . We borrow one group of 4.
 31four
- 12four
_______
1four - 2four
2four is greater than 1four . We borrow one group of 4.
Question:

Subtract:

3431five
- 1242five
_______
Multiplication
We multiply just as we do in base ten.

However, when a computation is equal to or exceeds the given

base, use the conversions to convert from the base ten numeral
to a numeral in the desired base.
Example

Multiply

34six
× 2six
_______

First we multiply the digit 2 by the digit 4 directly above it.

We are working in base six and so the digits permitted in base
six are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
2six × 4six = 8ten therefore we need to convert 8 to base six.
 34six
× 2six
_______

2six × 4six = 8ten therefore we need to convert 8 to base six.

8ten = (1×6) + (2×1)= 12six
Record the 2 and carry the 1:
1
34six
× 2six
_______
2six
2six × 4six = 8ten therefore we need to convert 8 to base six.
8ten = (1×6) + (2×1)= 12six
Record the 2 and carry the 1:
1
34six
× 2six
_______
2six
The next computation involves both multiplication and addition:
(2six × 3six ) + 1 = 7ten
7ten = (1×6) + (1×1)= 11six
 34six
× 2six
_______
112six
Question:

Multiply:

45seven
× 3seven
_______

When a computation is equal to or exceeds the given

base, convert from the base ten numeral to a numeral in
the desired base.
 45seven
× 3seven
_______
First we multiply the digit 3 by the digit 5 directly above it.
We are working in base seven and so the digits permitted in base six are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

3seven × 5seven = 15ten therefore we need to convert 15 to base seven.

15ten = (2×7) + (1×1)= 21seven
Record the 1 and carry the 2:
2
45seven
× 3seven
_______
1seven
 2
45seven
× 3seven
_______
1seven

The next computation involves both multiplication and addition:

(3seven × 4seven ) + 2 = 14ten
14ten = (2×7) + (0×1)= 20seven
45seven
× 3seven
_______
201seven
 Division
The answer in a division problem is called a quotient. A multiplication table in the
same base as the division is helpful.

For example, to perform the following division, we will use the base four
multiplication table.
_________
3four )222four
× 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3
2 0 2 10 12
3 0 3 12 21
 × 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3
2 0 2 10 12
3 0 3 12 21

_________
3four )222four
we divide 22four by 3four
In the vertical column headed by 3, the largest product that is less
than or equal to 22four is 21four. Because 3four × 3four = 21four then the
first number in the quotient is 3four .
× 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3
2 0 2 10 12
3 0 3 12 21

3four
_______
3four )222four
21four
_______
1
 × 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3
2 0 2 10 12
3 0 3 12 21

We bring down the next digit in the dividend, 2 four

3four
_______
3four )222four
21four
_______
12four
 × 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3
2 0 2 10 12
3 0 3 12 21

We bring down the next digit in the dividend, 2 four

3four
_______
3four )222four
21four
_______
12four
Look at the vertical column headed by 3. the largest product that is less than or equal to 12 four is 12four .
Because 3four × 2four = 12four then the first numeral in the quotient is 2 four .
 32four
_______
3four )222four
21four
_______
12four
12four
_____
0
Example
_________
2four )112four

× 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3
2 0 2 10 12
3 0 3 12 21
 23four
_______
2four )112four
10four
_______
12four
12four
_____
0
× 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3
2 0 2 10 12
3 0 3 12 21
Question
_________
3five )224five

× 0 1 2 3 4
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 2 3 4
2 0 2 4 11 13
3 0 3 11 14 22
4 0 4 13 22 31
 41five
_______
3five )224five
22five
_______
4five
3five
_____
1five