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Number System

The octal number system, also known as base-8, is a positional numeral system that uses eight digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Each digit represents a power of 8, with the rightmost digit representing $8^0$, the next representing $8^1$, and so on. For example, the octal number 157 equals $1 \times 8^2 + 5 \times 8^1 + 7 \times 8^0 = 64 + 40 + 7 = 111$ in decimal. Octal was widely used in early computing systems because it provides a more compact representation of binary numbers: each octal digit corresponds exactly to three binary digits. This makes conversion between binary and octal straightforward and simplifies programming and memory addressing in older computer architectures. Although modern systems primarily use hexadecimal (base-16), octal remains important in some computing contexts, such as Unix file permissions, digital electronics, and certain embedded systems. Understanding octal helps in grasping how different number bases can efficiently represent information and interact with binary systems. It also provides a foundation for learning hexadecimal and other positional numeral systems used in digital technology.

Number System

The binary number system, also called base-2, is a positional numeral system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1. Each digit in a binary number represents a power of 2, starting with $2^0$ at the rightmost position and increasing to the left. For example, the binary number 1011 equals $1 \times 2^3 + 0 \times 2^2 + 1 \times 2^1 + 1 \times 2^0 = 8 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 11$ in decimal. Binary is fundamental to digital electronics and computing because all digital devices, including computers and smartphones, operate using two states—commonly represented as on and off, high and low, or true and false. This simplicity allows circuits to reliably store, process, and transmit data. Binary numbers are used in various applications, including memory storage, processor instructions, networking protocols, and coding systems. Understanding binary is crucial for computer science, programming, and electronics, as it provides insight into how machines represent and manipulate information. Additionally, binary arithmetic and logic operations form the foundation for higher-level computations, making base-2 an essential concept in technology, digital communications, and modern computing systems.