What is Number System in Maths?

A number system is defined as a system of writing to express numbers. It is the mathematical

notation for representing numbers of a given set by using digits or other symbols in a consistent
manner. It provides a unique representation of every number and represents the arithmetic and
algebraic structure of the figures. It also allows us to operate arithmetic operations like addition,
subtraction and division.
The value of any digit in a number can be determined by:

 The digit
 Its position in the number
 The base of the number system

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What is Number?
A number is a mathematical value used for counting or measuring or labeling objects. Numbers are
used to performing arithmetic calculations.  The examples of numbers are natural numbers, whole
numbers, rational and irrational numbers, etc. 0 is also a number that represents null value. 
A number has many other variations such as even and odd numbers, prime and composite
numbers. Even and odd terms are used when a number is divisible by 2 or not, whereas prime and
composite differentiate between the numbers that have only two factors and more than two factors,
respectively.
In a number system, these numbers are used as digits. 0 and 1 are the most common digits in the
number system, that are used to represent binary numbers. On the other hand, 0 to 9 digits are also
used for other number systems. Let us learn here the types of number systems.

Types of Number System

There are various types of number system in mathematics. The four most common number system
types are:

1. Decimal number system (Base- 10)

2. Binary number system (Base- 2)
3. Octal number system (Base-8)
4. Hexadecimal number system (Base- 16)

Decimal Number System (Base 10 Number System)

Decimal number system has base 10 because it uses ten digits from 0 to 9. In the decimal number
system, the positions successive to the left of the decimal point represent units, tens, hundreds,
thousands and so on. This system is expressed in decimal numbers.
Every position shows a particular power of the base (10). For example, the decimal number 1457
consists of the digit 7 in the units position, 5 in the tens place, 4 in the hundreds position, and 1 in
the thousands place whose value can be written as
(1×103) + (4×102) + (5×101) + (7×100)
(1×1000) + (4×100) + (5×10) + (7×1)
1000 + 400 + 50 + 7
1457

Binary Number System (Base 2 Number System)

The base 2 number system is also known as the Binary number system wherein, only two binary
digits exist, i.e., 0 and 1. Specifically, the usual base-2 is a radix of 2. The figures described under
this system are known as binary numbers which are the combination of 0 and 1. For example,
110101 is a binary number.
We can convert any system into binary and vice versa.
Example
Write (14)10 as a binary number.
Solution:

Base 2 Number System Example

∴ (14)10 = 11102

Octal Number System (Base 8 Number System)

In the octal number system, the base is 8 and it uses numbers from 0 to 7 to represent numbers.
Octal numbers are commonly used in computer applications. Converting an octal number to decimal
is the same as decimal conversion and is explained below using an example.
Example: Convert 2158 into decimal.
Solution:
2158 = 2 × 82 + 1 × 81 + 5 × 80
= 2 × 64 + 1 × 8 + 5 × 1
= 128 + 8 + 5
= 14110

Hexadecimal Number System (Base 16 Number System)

In the hexadecimal system, numbers are written or represented with base 16. In the hex system, the
numbers are first represented just like in decimal system, i.e. from 0 to 9. Then, the numbers are
represented using the alphabets from A to F. The below-given table shows the representation of
numbers in the hexadecimal number system.

Hexadecimal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F

Decimal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Number System Chart

In the number system chart, the base values and the digits of different number system can be found.
Below is the chart of the numeral system.
 Number System Chart

Number System Conversion

Numbers can be represented in any of the number system categories like binary, decimal, hex, etc.
Also, any number which is represented in any of the number system types can be easily converted
to other. Check the detailed lesson on the conversions of number systems to learn how to convert
numbers in decimal to binary and vice versa, hexadecimal to binary and vice versa, and octal to
binary and vice versa using various examples.

Solved Examples
Q.1: Convert (1056)16 to octal number.
Solution: Given, 105616 is an hex number.
First we need to convert the given hexadecimal number into decimal number
(1056)16
= 1 x 163 + 0 x 162 + 5 x 161 + 6 x 160
= 4096 + 0 + 80 + 6
= (4182)10
Now we will convert this decimal number to required octal number by repetitively dividing by 8.

8 4182 Remainder

8 522 6

8 65 2

8 8 1

8 1 0

0 1

Therefore, taking the value of remainder from bottom to top, we get;

(4182)10 = (10126)8
Therefore, 
(1056)16 = (10126)8
Q.2: Convert (1001001100) 2 to decimal number.
Solution: (1001001100)2
= 1 x 29 + 0 x 28 + 0 x 27 + 1 x 26 + 0 x 25 + 0 x 24 + 1 x 23 + 1 x 22 + 0 x 21 + 0 x 20
= 512 + 64 + 8 + 4
= (588)10
Q.3: Convert 101012 into octal number.
Solution: Given, 
 101012 is the binary number
We can write the given binary number as:
010 101
Now as we know, in octal number system,
010 → 2
101 → 5
Therefore, the required octal number is 258
Q.4: Convert hexadecimal 2C to decimal number.
Solution: We need to convert 2C16 into binary number first.
2C → 00101100
Now convert 001011002 into a decimal number.
101100 = 1×25+1×23+1×22
=32+8+4
=44

Video Lesson on Numeral System

6,727

Number System Questions

1. Convert (242)10 into hexadecimal. [Answer: (F2)16]
2. Convert 0.52 into an octal number. [Answer: 4121]
3. Subtract 11012 and 10102. [Answer: 0010]
4. Represent 5C6 in decimal. [Answer:1478]
5. Represent binary number 1.1 in decimal. [Answer: 1.5]

Also Check: Binary Operations

Computer Numeral System (Number System in Computers)

When we type any letter or word, the computer translates them into numbers since computers can
understand only numbers. A computer can understand only a few symbols called digits and these
symbols describe different values depending on the position they hold in the number. In general, the
binary number system is used in computers. However, the octal, decimal and hexadecimal systems
are also used sometimes.

More Topics Related to Number Systems

Number System for Class 9 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths Chapter 1-
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Number System

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Number System and its Types?

The number system is simply a system to represent or express numbers. There are various types of
number systems and the most commonly used ones are decimal number system, binary number
system, octal number system, and hexadecimal number system.

Why is the Number System Important?

Number system helps to represent numbers in a small symbol set. Computers, in general, use
binary numbers 0 and 1 to keep the calculations simple and to keep the amount of necessary
circuitry less, which results in the least amount of space, energy consumption and cost.

What is Base 1 Number System Called?

Base 1 number system is called the unary numeral system and is the simplest numeral system to
represent natural numbers.

What is the equivalent binary number for the decimal number 43?
To find the equivalent binary number, we need to divide 43 by 2, until we get 0 as the result.
Therefore, (43)10 = 1010112

How to convert 308 into decimal number?

308 = 3×81+0×80 = 24
 Number System
Number system is the way to represent everything in the form of digits.

There are four types of number system.

1. Binary Number System

Binary number system can contain two digits 0 and 1. So base of binary

number system is 2. Binary numbers are represented with 2 as subscript

to the value.

Examples of binary numbers are:

1. (1101) 2
2. (1110.011) 2
2. Decimal Number System
Decimal number system can contain digits from 0 to 9. So base of

decimal number system is 10. Decimal numbers are represented with 10

as subscript to the value.

Examples of decimal numbers are:

1. (1234) 10
2. (55.34) 10
3. Octal Number System
Octal number system can contain digits from 0 to 7. So base of octal

number system is 8. Octal numbers are represented with 8 as subscript to

the value.

Examples of octal numbers are:

1. (561) 8
2. (17.54) 8
4. Hexadecimal Number System
Hexadecimal number system can contain digits from 0 to 9 and alphabets

from A to F where

A=10

B=11

C=12

D=13

E=14

F=15

So base of hexadecimal number system is 16. Hexadecimal numbers are

represented with 16 as subscript to the value.

Examples of hexadecimal numbers are:

1. (A74) 16
2. (91.B3) 16

Number System Conversions

1. Decimal to Binary Conversion
To obtain binary equivalent of a decimal number, decimal number should

be repeatedly divided by 2 writing remainder obtained at every step.

This should continue until last quotient is 1. The remainders should be

written bottom to upwards to get binary equivalent of decimal number.

1. (17) 10   = (?) 2   = (10001) 2

2. Decimal to octal   Conversion

To obtain octal equivalent of a decimal number, decimal number should

be repeatedly divided by 8 writing remainder obtained at every step.

This should continue until last quotient   is less than 8. The remainders

should be written bottom to upwards to get octal equivalent of decimal

number.
 3.  Decimal to hexadecimal   Conversion

To obtain hexadecimal equivalent of a decimal number, decimal number

should be repeatedly divided by   16 writing remainder obtained at every

step.

This should continue until last quotient   is less than 16. The remainders

should be written bottom to upwards to get hexadecimal equivalent of

decimal number.
4. Binary to   Decimal   Conversion

To obtain decimal equivalent of a binary number, individual digits of

binary number should be multiplied by powers of 2 starting with

rightmost digit multiplied by 2 0 , second last digit multiplied by 2 1 , third

last digit multiplied by 2 2   and so on upto the leftmost digit.

Example :

                                              

   
5. Octal to Decimal Conversion

To obtain decimal equivalent of an octal number, individual digits of

octal number should be multiplied by powers of 8 starting with rightmost

digit multiplied by 8 0 , second last digit multiplied by 8 1 , third last digit

multiplied by 8 2   and so on upto the leftmost digit.

Example:

**Arrows represent values to be

multiplied.                                                                                                          

6.     Hexadecimal to Decimal Conversion

To obtain decimal equivalent of a hexadecimal number, individual digits

of hexadecimal number should be multiplied by powers of 16 starting

with rightmost digit multiplied by 16 0 , second last digit multiplied by

16 1 , third last digit multiplied by 16 2   and so on upto the leftmost digit.

In case of alphabets A to F, codes of alphabets should be multiplied by

power of 16.

Example:

**Arrows represent values to be multiplied.                                                                                                          

7. Octal to Binary Conversion

To obtain binary equivalent of an octal number, individual digits of octal

number should be converted to binary in groups of three digits.

For example, to get binary equivalent of octal number   127   we can take

following steps:

Binary equivalent of 7 is 111

Binary equivalent of 2 is 010

Binary equivalent of 1 is 001

So Binary equivalent of   (127) 8   is:

8. Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion

To obtain binary equivalent of a hexadecimal number, individual digits

of hexadecimal number should be converted to binary in groups of four

digits.

For example, to get binary equivalent of hexadecimal number A27 we can

take following steps:

Binary equivalent of 7   is 0111

Binary equivalent of 2 is 0010

Binary equivalent of A(10) is 1010

So Binary equivalent of   (A27) 16   is:

9. Binary to octal Conversion

To obtain octal equivalent of a binary number, digits of binary number

should be divided into groups of three digits starting from the right most

digit. Then these groups should be converted into corresponding decimal

numbers.

For example, to get octal equivalent of binary number 101011 we can

take following steps:

101011 is divided into groups of three digits as:

(101)(011)

Decimal equivalent of 011 is 3

Decimal equivalent of 101 is 5

Octal equivalent of   101011 2   is:

10. Binary to Hexadecimal Conversion

To obtain hexadecimal equivalent of a binary number, digits of binary

number should be divided into groups of four digits starting from the

rightmost digit. Then these groups should be converted into

corresponding decimal numbers.

For example, to get octal equivalent of binary number 1011101011 we

can take following steps:

1011101011 is divided into groups of four digits as:

(0010)(1110)(1011)    

Note: zeros are filled at the beginning of left most group of binary digits

if there are lesser number of digits than four.

Decimal equivalent of 1011 is 11 (B)

Decimal equivalent of 1110 is 14 (E)

Decimal equivalent of 0010 is 2

Hexadecimal equivalent of 1011101011 2   is:

 Binary Addition
Binary numbers can be added just like normal numbers but in case of

binary numbers sum is always 0 or 1. Rules of adding binary numbers

are:

1. 0+0=0
2. 0+1=1
3. 1+0=1
4. 1+1=0 with carry 1
Example 1:

Sum in above example is performed by following steps:

1 + 1 = 10 = 0 with carry 1.

1+0+1 = 10 = 0 with carry 1

1+1+0 = 10 = 10 = 0 with carry 1

1+1+1= 10+1 = 11= 1 with carry 1

1 +1 +1 = 11

Example 2: