Number Systems
To use a microprocessor or microcontroller efficiently requires a working knowledge of binary, decimal, and hexadecimal numbering systems. This section provides background information about these numbering systems for readers who are unfamiliar with them or do not know how to convert from one number system to another.
Number systems are classified according to their bases. The numbering system used in everyday life is base 10, or the decimal number system. The numbering system most
commonly used in microprocessor and microcontroller applications is base 16, or hexadecimal. Base 2, or binary, and base 8, or octal, number systems are also used.
Decimal Number System
The numbers in the decimal number system, of course, are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. The subscript 10 indicates that a number is in decimal format. For example, the decimal number 235 is shown as 23510.
In general, a decimal number is represented as follows:
Binary Number System
The binary number system consists of two numbers: 0 and 1. A subscript 2 indicates that a number is in binary format. For example, the binary number 1011 would be 10112.
In general, a binary number is represented as follows:
