UNIT-1
1. Decimal Number System
The decimal number system is a number system with base 10. It uses ten
digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
The value of a digit depends on its position. Each position represents a power of
10.
Example:
The decimal number 538 can be represented as:
538 = 5 × 10² + 3 × 10¹ + 8 × 10⁰
= 5 × 100 + 3 × 10 + 8 × 1
= 500 + 30 + 8
Characteristics
1. Base is 10.
2. It uses ten symbols, 0–9.
3. Each position has a weight based on powers of 10.
4. It is commonly used in everyday calculations.
5. Computers can convert decimal numbers into binary for processing.
Conclusion: The decimal system is the most commonly used number system in
daily life.
2. Binary Number System
The binary number system is a number system with base 2. It uses only two
digits: 0 and 1. Computers use binary because electronic circuits can represent
two states, such as ON/OFF or HIGH/LOW.
Each position in a binary number represents a power of 2.
Example:
Binary number 1011₂:
1011₂ = 1×2³ + 0×2² + 1×2¹ + 1×2⁰
=8+0+2+1
= 11₁₀
Characteristics
1. Base is 2.
2. Digits used are 0 and 1.
3. Each binary digit is called a bit.
4. It is the fundamental number system used by computers.
5. Binary numbers are used for storing and processing digital data.
Conclusion: Binary is essential to computer operations because digital circuits
operate using two states.
3. Octal Number System
The octal number system has base 8. It uses eight digits: 0 to 7.
Each position represents a power of 8.
Example:
For 345₈:
345₈ = 3×8² + 4×8¹ + 5×8⁰
= 3×64 + 4×8 + 5
= 192 + 32 + 5
= 229₁₀
Characteristics
1. Base is 8.
2. Digits used are 0–7.
3. Each octal digit represents three binary bits.
4. It provides a shorter representation of binary numbers.
5. It was commonly used in older computer systems and programming.
Conclusion: Octal notation is useful for representing binary data in a compact
form.
4. Hexadecimal Number System
The hexadecimal number system has base 16. It uses 16 symbols: 0–9 and
A–F.
Here, A = 10, B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14 and F = 15.
Example:
For 2F₁₆:
2F₁₆ = 2×16¹ + 15×16⁰
= 32 + 15
= 47₁₀
Characteristics
1. Base is 16.
2. It uses digits 0–9 and letters A–F.
3. One hexadecimal digit represents four binary bits.
4. It is widely used in computer programming.
5. It is used to represent memory addresses, machine code and RGB colour
values.
Conclusion: Hexadecimal provides a compact and convenient way to represent
binary values.
5. Number System Conversions
Number system conversion means changing a number from one number
system to another without changing its actual value.
Decimal to Binary
Repeatedly divide the decimal number by 2 and record the remainders.
Example: Convert 13₁₀ to binary
13 ÷ 2 → remainder 1
6 ÷ 2 → remainder 0
3 ÷ 2 → remainder 1
1 ÷ 2 → remainder 1
Reading remainders from bottom to top:
13₁₀ = 1101₂
Binary to Decimal
Multiply each binary digit by the corresponding power of 2.
1101₂ = 1×2³ + 1×2² + 0×2¹ + 1×2⁰
=8+4+0+1
= 13₁₀
Binary to Octal
Group binary digits into groups of three from the right.
101101₂ = 55₈
Binary to Hexadecimal
Group binary digits into groups of four from the right.
101101₂ = 2D₁₆
6. Complements
Complements are used in computers to represent negative numbers and
perform subtraction using addition. The two important complements in the
binary system are 1's complement and 2's complement.
1's Complement
The 1's complement is obtained by changing every 0 to 1 and every 1 to 0.
Example:
Binary number: 1010
1's complement: 0101
2's Complement
The 2's complement is obtained by adding 1 to the 1's complement.
Example:
Binary number: 1010
1's complement: 0101
Add 1: 0110
Therefore, 2's complement = 0110.
Uses
1. Represents negative binary numbers.
2. Helps perform binary subtraction.
3. Simplifies arithmetic operations in computers.
4. 2's complement is widely used in modern computer systems.
5. It avoids the need for a separate subtraction circuit.
Conclusion: Complements are important for efficient arithmetic operations in
digital computers.
7. Binary Addition
Binary addition is the process of adding binary numbers using four basic rules:
Additi Resul
on t
0+0 0
0+1 1
1+0 1
1+1 10
When 1 + 1 occurs, the result is 0 with a carry of 1.
Example:
1011
+ 0101
-------
10000
Therefore:
1011₂ + 0101₂ = 10000₂
Rules
1. Add digits from right to left.
2. 0 + 0 gives 0.
3. 0 + 1 gives 1.
4. 1 + 1 gives 0 with carry 1.
5. 1 + 1 + 1 gives 1 with carry 1.
Binary addition is extensively used by the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) of a
computer.
8. Binary Subtraction
Binary subtraction is performed using four basic rules:
Subtracti
Result
on
0−0 0
1−0 1
1−1 0
1 with
0−1
borrow
When subtracting 1 from 0, a borrow is required from the next higher bit.
Example:
1011
- 0011
-------
1000
Therefore:
1011₂ − 0011₂ = 1000₂
Using 2's Complement
Computer systems commonly perform subtraction using 2's complement:
A − B = A + (2's complement of B)
Importance
1. Used for arithmetic operations.
2. Can be implemented using digital circuits.
3. 2's complement simplifies subtraction.
4. It is performed by the ALU.
5. It is important in computer arithmetic.
9. Binary Codes
Binary codes are systems used to represent numbers, letters, symbols and
other information using binary digits, 0 and 1.
Common Types of Binary Codes
1. BCD (Binary Coded Decimal):
Each decimal digit is represented by four binary bits.
Example:
59 = 0101 1001 in BCD.
2. ASCII:
ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It
represents characters using binary codes.
3. EBCDIC:
EBCDIC stands for Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. It
was mainly used in IBM computer systems.
4. Gray Code:
In Gray code, consecutive values differ by only one bit. It is useful in digital
systems and position encoders.
Applications
1. Representing characters in computers.
2. Storing numerical data.
3. Data transmission.
4. Digital communication.
5. Error detection and digital system design.