Number bases, also known as radix or positional numeral systems, are systems for representing

numbers using a specific set of symbols or digits. The base determines the number of unique symbols or
digits available to represent numbers, and it governs how numbers are written and interpreted. Here
are some commonly used number bases:

1. Decimal (Base-10): The decimal system is the most widely used number system in everyday life. It
uses ten unique digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Each digit's position represents a power of 10. For
example, the number 253 in decimal represents (2 × 10^2) + (5 × 10^1) + (3 × 10^0) = 200 + 50 + 3.

2. Binary (Base-2): The binary system uses only two digits: 0 and 1. It is widely used in computer science
and digital electronics because it directly relates to the on/off states of electronic switches. Each digit's
position represents a power of 2. For example, the binary number 1011 represents (1 × 2^3) + (0 × 2^2)
+ (1 × 2^1) + (1 × 2^0) = 8 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 11 in decimal.

3. Octal (Base-8): The octal system uses eight unique digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Each digit's position
represents a power of 8. Octal numbers are sometimes used in computing, especially in older systems.
For example, the octal number 17 represents (1 × 8^1) + (7 × 8^0) = 15 in decimal.

4. Hexadecimal (Base-16): The hexadecimal system uses sixteen unique symbols: 0-9 and A-F, where A
represents 10, B represents 11, and so on up to F, which represents 15. Hexadecimal is widely used in
computer programming and digital systems because it provides a convenient representation for binary
numbers. Each digit's position represents a power of 16. For example, the hexadecimal number 3F
represents (3 × 16^1) + (15 × 16^0) = 63 in decimal.

Number bases beyond base-16 exist, but they are less commonly used. The choice of number base
depends on the specific application or problem at hand. Different bases have advantages and
disadvantages in terms of compactness, ease of computation, and representation of certain patterns or
structures.

Converting numbers between different bases involves understanding the positional value of digits and
performing arithmetic operations accordingly.