Number systems in

computer architecture
Discussion of Stallings chapter 9
objectives
• Understand the basic concepts and terminology of
positional number
systems.
• Explain the techniques for converting between
decimal and binary for both
integers and fractions.
• Explain the rationale for using hexadecimal notation.
The Decimal system
• Makes up the basis of human calculation using numbers from 0-9
• Decimal means ten so all numbers can be expressed as a function of
10 .
• For example 49= (4*10)+9
• 8945=?
• Nb any number can be broken down into the sum of its factors
Decimal system cnt’d
• The decimal system is said to have a base, or radix, of 10.
• This means that each digit in the number is multiplied by 10 raised to a
power corresponding to that digit’s position
• Eg 49=(4*10¹)+(9*10°)
• 8945=?
• For decimal fractions, but negative powers of 10 are used. Thus, the
decimal fraction 0.894 stands for 8 tenths plus 9 hundredths plus 4
thousandths:
• Or 0.894?
Combining numbers
• Integer and decimal numbers can also be combined using bases and
radixes to produce an augmented equation.
• Nb integers will have positive bases and the fraction negative bases
• 442.256=?
summary
Binary
• In the decimal system, 10 different digits are used to represent numbers with a
base[0-9]of 10.
• In the binary system, we have only two digits, 1 and 0. Thus, numbers in the
binary system are represented to base 2.
• 10012=?
• 0.1012=?
 Number conversion decimal to binary
Suppose it is required to convert a decimal integer N into binary form. If we divide
N by 2, in the decimal system, and obtain a quotient N1 and a remainder R0,
we may write
N = 2 * N1 + R0 R0 = 0 or 1
Next, we divide the quotient N1 by 2. Assume that the new quotient is N2 and
thenew remainder R1.
Then repeat steps until remainder rm is either 0 or 1
Hexadecimal numbers