Number System and

Encoding Schemes

#RoadMap
Discuss the concept of number system
List the different types of number system: Decimal, Binary, Octaland
Hexadecimal
Discuss conversion from Decimal to Binary, Octal and Hexadecimal number
system
Discuss conversion from Binary, Octaland Hexadecimal to Decimal number
system
Discuss encoding schemes

1. We usenumbers in everyday life to measure quantities. Look at the

following figure and fill in the blanks.
Weighing machine Currency exchange Temperature in
thermometer

60
50 70
40 60
50
20
4 kg
20
10

Weight is kg. Amount is lemperature is °C.

2. You must have studied in Mathematics that every digit in a number has a
place value.Write the place value of the underlined digit in the following
numbers.
a. 5678: b. 4321:
C. 8901: d. 7346:
 The number system we use in everyday mathematics is based on ten
digits from
0to 9(0, 1,2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). This number systemis called the decimal
numbernumber systhosem.
We have noticed in the set-up activity that each digit in the decimal
a position and every digit is ten times more significant than the system
previous digit.
However, computer cannot understand the decimal number
machine and knows onlytwo states -ON (represented by system. It is an
1) and OFF electronic
by 0). This number system consisting of only two digits, i.e., O
binary number system.
(represented
and 1, is called d
the
To be able to understand the working of acomputer and
important to understand the concept of number other digital systems,
system and it is
place between different number systems. Let us discuss how conversions take
in detail. some of the number systems
ON Calculate
12*12 ???

OFF Calculate
0 1100*1100 10010000

A Fig. 1.1 Computer understands binary

numbers
TYPES OFNUMBER SYSTEMS
Number system is amethod of representing numbers.
Numbers can be classified into four major types:
Binary Octal
Decimal Note: The base
Hexadecimal
of the number
Table 1.1 gives details about these number systems. is written as
Table 1.1: Four major number systems subscript.

Number System Base Digits Used Example,

BINARY 2 0,1 (101011),
OCTAL 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (457),
DECIMAL 10 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9 (398),
HEXADECIMAL 16 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, A, B, C, (AB37F)6
D, E, F
Let us discuss the different types of number systems in detail.

Decimal Number System

The number system which we use in our daily life is the decimal number system.
In this, we make use of tenunique digits (0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) to form number.
This number system based on ten digits is also known as the base 10 number
system. The digits in anumber have a place value such as ones, tens, hundreds and
thousands. The place value is specified in powers of 10 in the decimal number system.
For example, the numbers 189 and 2395 can be expressed as:
(189),, =1x 10² + 8x 101 + 9x100
(2395),,=2 x 10 + 3 x 102 +9 x 101 +5 x 10°

Binary Number System

In the binary number system,we make use of two digits (0,1)to form numbers. This
number system is also known as base 2 number system. The digits O and1are known
as binary digits or bits.
For example, the representation of a binary number would look like (1010),.

In binary numbers, the bit farthest tothe left is called MSB (Most
#EYL Significant Bit) as it has the highest place value and the bit
farthest to the right is called LSB (Least Significant Bit) as it has
the lowest place value.
MSB LSB

1 1 1

Octal Number System

Octal number system was devised for compact representation of binary numbers.
Octal Number System uses eight digits from 0to 7, i.e.,0, 1,2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7,to form
numbers. This number system is also known as base 8 number system.
For example, therepresentation of an octal number would look like (175),
Hexadecirnal Number System
Hexadecimal nurmbers are also used for compact representation of binary numbers.
and letters from A-F. Here, Ais
it consists of 16unique symbols, i.e..digits from 0-9 number system is also known as boce
10, B is 11, Cis 12, D is 13. E is 14and Fis 15. This
16 number system.
hexadecimal number would look like (A13)..
Forexample, the representation of a
Some areas where hexadecimal number system
is used are:
location.
To represent the address ofa memory
To define color codes used on web pages.

For example,
RGB Color Code (in Decimal) RGB Color Code (in Hexadecimal)
Color Name
(00,00,00)
Black (0,0,0)
(FF,FF,FF)
White (255,255,255)
(FF,00,00)
Red (255,0,0)

To display system error messages.

#SnapCheck

statements.
Write "T' for true and 'F'for false
number system.
1. There are 2digits in the binary
2. 891 is a valid octal number.
100.
3. Base of decimal number system is
4. A1Cis a valid hexadecimal number.
numbers.
5. A computer can understand only binary

SYSTEMS
CONVERSION BETWEEN NUMBER

Decimal number system is most commonly used

in everyday life to measure physical
money. Digital systems understand only
quantities like height,weight, temperature and
often used by programmers to simplity
binarynumbers. Hexadecimal number system is between different number systems.
conversions
the binary number system. Let us learn
Decimal to Binary
This conversion uses repeated division method. In this method, the decimal number
is repeatedly divided by 2 and the remainder is recorded. This process is continued
till we reach azeroquotient. The result of the conversion is obtained by writing the
remainders from the bottom to the top. The last number (at the bottom) is the most
significant bit (MSB).
Example: Convert (65), to its equivalent in the binary number system.
2 65 Remainder
2 32 1 LSB
2 16
2
4

2 2
2 1
1 MSB

Thus,(65),, = (1000001),
Decimal to Octal
decimal
uses repeated division method. In this method, the
This conversion also is
the remainder is recorded. This process
number is repeatedly divided by 8 and by
reacha zero quotient. The result of the conversion is obtained
continuedtill we
bottom tothe top.
writing the remainders from the
equivalent in the octal number
system.
Example: Convert (298),, to its
8 298 Remainder

37 2
5
4

Thus, (298),, = (452),

Decimal to Hexadecimal
decimal
division method. In this method, the
uses repeated process is
This conversion also and the remainder is recorded. This
divided by 16
number is repeatedly
continued tillwe reach a zero quotient. The result of the conversion is obtained by
writing the remainders from the bottomtothe top.
Example 1: Convert (537)., to its equivalent in the hexadecimal number system.
16 537 Remainder

16 33
16 2 1

Thus, (537),, = (219),6

Example 2: Convert (331)., to its equivalent in the hexadecimal number system.
16 331 Remainder
16 20 11 (B)
16 1 4

Thus, (331),, = (14B),

Binary to Decimal
Every bit in a binary number hasa positional value associated with it. The positional
value is in terms of increasing powers of 2starting with the extreme right or the
rightmost bit. The rightmost bit has a positional value of 2°. The digits are multiplied
with their positional values andthe products are added to get the decimal number.
Example 1:Convert (10011), to its equivalent in the decimal number system.
Binary Number 0 0 1 1
Positional Values 24 23 22 21 20

The bits are multiplied with positional values and the products are added.
=1x24 +0x23 +0x22+1x21 + 1 x 20
=1x 16 +0 x8 +0x4 +1x2+1x1
= 16 +0 +0+2 +1
= 19

Thus, (10011), = (19),o

Example 2: Convert (111101), to its equivalent in the decimal number system.
=1x25 +1x 24 + 1x 23 +1 x22 + 0 x 2' + 1x20
=1×32 + 1 x16 +1x8 +1x 4 + 0x2+1x1
=32 + 16 + 8 + 4+0 + 1
= 61
Thus, (111101), =(61),0

Octal to Decimal
We have already learnt toconvert binary number to decimal number. The method
to convert octal number to decimal number remains the same. However, in octal
number system, the positional value is in terms of increasing powers of 8 starting with
the extreme right or the rightmost digit. The rightmost digit has a positional value of
8°, The digits are multiplied with their positional values and the products are added to
get the decimal number.
Example: Convert (157), to its equivalent in the decimal number.

Octal Number 5 7

Positional Value 82 81 80

=1x82 +5x 81 +7x 80

=1x64 + 5x 8 + 7x1

=64 + 40 +7

= 111

Thus, (157), =(111),0

Hexadecimal to Decimal
positional value of the digits in terms of
In hexadecimal number system, the
powers of 16 starting with the extreme right or the rightmost digit. The
increasing
has apositional value of 160. Using the same method as discussed
rightmost digit
positional values and the products are
earlier, the digits are multiplied with their
added toget the decimal number.
Example: Convert (A4C),, to its equivalent in the decimal number system.
Hexadecimal Number A
Positional Value 16 16' 16

=10 x 16 + 4x 16' +12 x 16°

= 10 x 256 + 4 x 16 + 12 x 1
Recall that in
=2560 + 64 +12 hexadecimal number
system letter A is 10
= 2636 and C is 12
Thus, (A4C),, = (2636),0

#SnapCheck.
Perform the following conversions:
1. (342),, =(?), 2. (1101), =(?,0
3. (72), =(?),o 4. (213),, =(?),6

ENCODINGSCHEME
We know that computer understands only binary language, i.e., the language of
Os and 1s.

We have seen how to convert decimal numbers to binary numbers. But have you ever
Wondered what happens when we input characters? How are characters converted
into their equivalent binary form? Let us find out.
Every character on the keyboard hasa code associated with it. This code is called
the American Standard Code for Information Interchange or ASCIl code. Every time
we press any keyon the keyboard, the binary form of its ASCIl code is sent to the
computer.
Just like ASCII, there are other standard encoding schemes where each letter, numerat
and symbol is encoded or assigned a unique code.
Let us learn about some of the well-known encoding schemes.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
(ASCII)
ASCIlis one of the most common encoding standard. Every ASCIlcode makes use of
7 bits. It is possible to have 128 unique codes in the ASCIlcharacter set.
Table 1.2: ASCIl code for some printable characters
Character Decimal ValueCharacter Decimal Value Character Decimal Value
Space 32 64 96

33 A 65 a 97

34 B 66 b 98

35 67 C 99

36 D 68 d 100

% 37 69 101

38 F 70 f 102

39 G 71 103

40 UI
H 72 104

41 73 i 105

Ifwe input the character A, then the binary equivalent of decimal value 65 (its ASCII
code), i.e., 1000001 is sent to the computer.

Unicode
Unicode is an internationally recognised encoding standard that assigns a unique
code to each letter, digit or symbol used in any language of the world. ASClI
represents only basic English characters whereas Unicode supports characters from
all languages around the world. Unicode is a superset of ASCII. The numeric codes
0-127 represent the same symbols in both ASCIland Unicode.
This standard is supported by most of the software and allows data to be exchanged
across different platforms, devices and applications.
Unicode can use 8 to 32 bits per character. Commonly used Unicode encodings are
UTF-8, UTF-16 and UTF-32.
 Gottfried Leibniz, aGermnan mathematician, is credited with the
invention of the binary number systern.

we can use
When designing web page with HTML or CSS,
hexadecimal codes to represent the colors. These
codes are made
#IRL
# symbol.
upof 6 hexadecimal digits and are preceded by
For example,
#FFO000represents red.
#000000 represents black.
#FFFFFF represents white.

Decimal Number System: Apositional

number system that uses 10digits.
The positional value is
expressed in powers of 8.
#BokMar
The positional value is expressed in Hexadecimal System:
powers of 10. Apositional number system
positional
Binary Number System: A that uses 16 digits/symbols.
number system that uses two digits It uses the digits 0 through 9
called bits. The positional value is in addition to the alphabets
expressed in powers of 2. A,B,C,D,E,F. The positional
Octal Number System: A positional value is expressed in powers
number system that uses eight digits. of 16.

#THR(O)WBACK
Number system is a method of representing numbers.
Decimal and
There are four major types of number systems: Binary, Octal,
Hexadecimal.
ASCIl and Unicode are two widely used encoding standards.
 #LetUs Tweet
A. Tick (V)the correct answer.
1. The octal decimal number (651), is equivalent to
a. (27B),, b. (28B),6 c. (28C),i6 d. (28A),6
2. The hexadecimal number (1E2),, is equivalent to
a. (480),0 b. (483),0 c. (482),, d. (484),0
3. The base in binary number system is
a. 2 b. 8 C. 10 d. 1

4. Which of the following is not a binary number?

a. 1111 b. 101 C. 11E d. 010

B. Fillin the blanks using the words given below.

Unicode, Octal, Hexadecimal, ASCII, Binary

1. number system uses digits as well as letters.

2. Computers understand numbers in number system.
characters.
3 encoding system uses 7 bits only to generate 128 codes for
4. Every digit in number system has a positional value in powers of 8.
5. isan internationaly recognised encoding standard that assigns a
unique code to each letter, digit or symbol used in any language
of the world.

C. Answer the following questions.

base value and digits used.
1. What are the four major number systems? Write their
2. Differentiate between decimal and binary number system.
system.
3. Give some applications of hexadecimal number
encoding standard?
4. What is the significance of Unicode

#DiY
Lab Activity
decimal number system.
1. Convert the following to their equivalent in
a. (247), =(?),0 b. (10110), =(?),o
c. (A2F),6 = (? )0 d. (10010), =(?0 11
 equivalent in binary, octal and
2. Convert the following decimal numbers totheir
hexadecimal number system.
a. (431),, = (?), b. (567),, =(?),
c. (189),, = (?),6 d. (325),,= (?y

Project
(Hint: Convert each number to its decimal
Find the missing number inthe series.
equivalent to complete the series.)
1. (1010), (10100), (11110), ? 2. (10), (20),, (40), ?
3. (170),, (175),, (202), ?

#ScreenShot
its equivalent decimal value.
Fill in the boxes with the positional values and give
A P
Hexadecimal Number

Positional Value

Decimal Number:

1 6
Octal Number 2

Positional Value

Decimal Number:

1 1
Binary Number
Positional Value

Decimal Number:

#OpenForum
class discussion on 'Application Areas of Different Number Systems'
can be taken up
A
in the class.

#HyperLink
Mathematics
system.
The Roman number system is agood example of a non-positional number
Compare positionaland non-positional number systems.