NUMBER BASES
Definition
Number base is a system of representing numbers with respect to a particular digit. For example, 354 is expressed as
300 + 50 + 4 = 3 ×10 2+5 × 101+ 4 × 100. Here 354 is expanded or expressed with respect to the powers of 10.
Note:
The number of digits a particular base should have corresponds to the base being expressed.
For examples numbers in base two, can only be expressed as two digits, 0 and 1. Numbers in base 3 are
expressed as three digits which are 0, 1, 2 and 3.
Conversion of Numbers from base 10 to other bases
Conversion from base 10 to other bases involves repetitive division and taking note of the remainder.
Example 1
Convert 12210 to binary.
Solution
2 122 Remainder
2 51 0
2 25 1
2 12 1
2 6 0
2 3 0
2 1 1
2 0 1
Ans: 12210 = 11001102
Conversion of Numbers from other bases to base 10
Conversion from other bases to base 10 involves repetitive multiplication and addition.
Note: Expand each term as a power of the base. Simplify and add.
Arithmetic Operation in Binary
Convert to base 10, perform the operation and then reconvert
OR
Perform operations taking note of the base.
Example 2
Convert 1100112 to a number in base 10.
Solution
5 4 3 2 1 0
5 4 3 2 1 0
1⏞ 1
⏞ 0⏞ 0⏞ 1⏞ 1⏞ 2 = 1 ×2 +1 ×2 + 0× 2 + 0 ×2 +1× 2 + 1× 2
= 1 ×32+1 ×16+0 × 8+0 × 4+1 ×2+1 ×1
= 32+16+ 0+ 0+2+1
= 5110
Problem Set
1. Convert 110112 to denary
2. Evaluate 111011two × 11two
3. Subtract 11111two from 111011two
4. Express 9 as binary
5. Express 354six to binary.
6. Simplify (11two)2
7. Add: 304five + 1243five