In electronics, we use different ways to represent numbers. These are called number systems. The most common ones are:
1. Decimal Number System (Base-10)
- This is the system we use in everyday life. It uses ten digits (0-9) and each digit's place value is a power of 10.
- Example: 1234 = (1 x 10³) + (2 x 10²) + (3 x 10¹) + (4 x 10⁰)
2. Binary Number System (Base-2)
- This system is the foundation of digital electronics. It uses only two digits (0 and 1).
- Each digit's place value is a power of 2.
- Example: 1011 = (1 x 2³) + (0 x 2²) + (1 x 2¹) + (1 x 2⁰) = 8 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 11 (decimal)
3. Octal Number System (Base-8)
- This system uses eight digits (0-7).
- Each digit's place value is a power of 8.
- Example: 123 = (1 x 8²) + (2 x 8¹) + (3 x 8⁰) = 64 + 16 + 3 = 83 (decimal)
4. Hexadecimal Number System (Base-16)
- This system uses sixteen digits (0-9 and A-F).
- Each digit's place value is a power of 16.
- Example: 2A5 = (2 x 16²) + (10 x 16¹) + (5 x 16⁰) = 512 + 160 + 5 = 677 (decimal)
Why are different number systems used in electronics?
- Binary: The simplest system to implement in digital circuits.
- Octal and Hexadecimal: These systems are used as a shorthand for binary, making it easier to read and write long binary sequences.
In summary, there are several number systems used in electronics, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The choice of number system depends on the specific application and the requirements of the electronic device.
