NOTES WEEK 3/LESSON 3
A number system is a method of representing numbers using specific rules. It provides a
consistent way to express numerical values. In mathematics, we use various number systems to
represent and manipulate numbers. Here are the four most common types:
1. Decimal Number System (Base-10): · The decimal system uses ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, and 9. · Each position to the left of the decimal point represents powers of 10 (units, tens,
hundreds, thousands, etc.).
2. Binary Number System (Base-2): · The binary system uses only two digits: 0 and 1. · It is
widely used in computer science and digital electronics.
3. Octal Number System (Base-8): · The octal system uses eight digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. ·
It is less common but still used in some contexts.
4. Hexadecimal Number System (Base-16): · The hexadecimal system uses sixteen digits: 0–9
and A–F (where A represents 10, B represents 11, and so on). · It is commonly used in computer
programming and memory addressing.
Types of Numbers: ✧
The number system encompasses various types of numbers:
1. Counting Numbers: These start with 1 and continue indefinitely (1, 2, 3, …).
2. Whole Numbers: Include all counting numbers along with zero (0, 1, 2, …).
3. Integers: Positive and negative whole numbers, including zero (-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …).
4. Rational Numbers: Expressible as fractions (e.g., 3/4, -2/5).
5. Irrational Numbers: Cannot be expressed as fractions (e.g., √2, π).
6. Real Numbers: Encompass both rational and irrational numbers. 7. Even Numbers: Divisible
by 2 (e.g., 2, 4, 6, …). 8. Odd Numbers: Not divisible by 2 (e.g., 3, 5, 7, …
Unlocking Content Area Vocabulary
• Number system - is a mathematical way of representing a set of values using digits or
symbols.
• Decimal - is a number that consists of a whole part and a fractional part separated by a decimal
point.
• Binary - is a number expressed in the base-2 numeral system, in this system, we use only two
symbols: typically, "0" (zero) and "1" (one).
• Octal - is a type of numeral system that uses a base of eight, in this system, the digits range
from 0 to 7
• Hexadecimal - is a base-16 numeral system. Unlike our everyday decimal system (base 10),
which uses ten symbols (0-9), hexadecimal employs sixteen symbols. These symbols represent
values from 0 to 15.