Nuria N., Joshua G.

Treasure P., Elizabeth C.

Elizabeth M., Jacqueline H.
Journal Prompt 1

1) Explain how to add, subtract and multiply in base-5 and base 12. Use examples to clarify your
explanations. 2) Explain how to convert numbers from base-5 to base-10 and from base-10 to base-5.

Base-5 is a counting system which the digits used in base-5 are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

The actual digit 5 is not used in base-5 counting,

instead it is represented by 10. Which is
not read as the number 10, but as 1 long
and 0 units. Where 1 long represents 5 units
as shown in examples below:

+ =
(10) Base-5 tells us that when you have 0
amounts of either units, ones, or flats,
4 units + 1 unit = 1 long the digit 0 must be put in place in
order to convey a proper place value.

+ = (100)
3 longs + 2 longs = 1 flat

More examples:
The next counting number after 44 is 100.
Why isn’t it 45? Why is it not 50?
Lets break it down:
44 = 4 longs and 4 units

+ = = (100)
r
r e
e f
The following counting
f
block would is 1 unit l And another long
The 5 long
l
for a total of 5 units, e would be formed,
strips would
e
but the number five is c for a total of 5
then become 1
not to be used c t long. Though in
flat.
therefore… t o the base of 5, the
o n digit 5 is not to be
n used. Therefore…
o
o f
f
a
a
 Here are a few examples to help understand to add, subtract, and multiply with the base-5:

Compute 44five + 31five

+ = (130)

3 longs and
So we have 4 Based on the base-5 rule, 5
1 unit…
longs and 4 longs is equivalent to 1 flat,
units plus… leaving 2 longs left over.
While the 5 units become 1
long as well. For a total of 1
flat, 3 longs and zero units.

Compute 20five – 4five

-- = -- = (11)

20five is Subracted Start by breaking one For a final difference

shown by 4 of the longs of 20five of 1 long and 1 unit.
above by 2 units… down into units, to
longs… evenly subtract the
4five units…

Compute 4five x 3five

x = = (22)

Here we have 4five The figure shows a Which gives us a

units multiplied layout of how this total of 2 longs ,
by 3five units…. equation looks using with 2 units left
the base of 5five over.
blocks…. For every
group of 5five units, it
becomes 1 long…
 Compute 422five -154five = 213five

--
=

In order to subtract the longs, we

must 1st break down a flat into longs.

-- = (213)

Remember, in base of
5, 5 longs = 1 flat

Converting From Base Ten to Base Five:

Counting In Base 5 Counting In Base 10

1 2 3 4 10 11 12 13 14 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

v
This 10 is read as 1-0five.
The reason we go directly
to 10five is because we do
not use the digit 5 in base
5.
 Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying in Base 12

In counting in Base-12, we use letters to represent numbers greater than 9. Our basic digits are: 0, 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, T, and E.

What we know as the number 12 is represented by the digits 1 and 0 to make 10. Although we want to say
it is 10 it actually represents one 1 long and 0 units. One long is equal to 12 units as illustrated.

11 units or “E” units + 1 unit = 1

v + = (10) long
v Or… E + 1 = 10. 1 long (value of
v twelve and 0 units.)
v
v

E (eleven)
 + =

6 longs + 6 longs = 1 flat

Or… 60 + 60 = 100
Why not 120? Because when we count by
longs or 10s it looks like this 10, 20, 30, 40,
50, 60, 70, 80, 90, T0, E0, followed by 100.
This is because we have reached the highest
possible figure in EE so the next unit up
would be 100.

Here are some examples of how to add and subtract in base 12.

Compute: 74 + 51 = 105
Compute 3twelve x 4twelve

(10) 3twelve multiplied by 4twelve units, is

12, but the number 12 is represented
by 10, which is 1 long and 0 units