Online Base Converter

A number base, also known as a radix, is the number of unique digits, including zero, that a positional numeral system uses to represent numbers. The most common number base is base-10, the decimal system, which uses the digits 0 through 9. Common bases include:

• - Binary (Base-2): Uses digits 0 and 1. Binary is the fundamental language of computers and digital systems. Each digit in a binary number is referred to as a bit, which is short for binary digit.
• - Octal (Base-8): Uses digits 0 through 7. Octal is less commonly used than binary or decimal but has specific applications, particularly in computing.
• - Decimal (Base-10): Uses digits 0 through 9. Decimal is the most commonly used number system in daily life for counting, measuring, and financial transactions.
• - Hexadecimal (Base-16): Uses digits 0 through 9 and letters A through F. Programmers use hexadecimal to represent memory addresses and machine code for easier reading and debugging. In web design and graphic design, colors are often represented in hexadecimal (e.g., #FFFFFF for white).
• Base64: Uses uppercase letters 'A' through 'Z', lowercase letters 'a' through 'z', digits 0 through 9, and a few special characters (+, /, and = for padding). The encoding process converts binary data into a string of ASCII characters, which makes the data safe for transmission over text-based protocols and storage in text-based formats.

Each base has its own set of rules for arithmetic operations and number representation. The choice of base can affect the efficiency and simplicity of calculations in various applications, such as computing and digital electronics. By understanding different number bases, one can better grasp how numbers are represented and manipulated in various fields of science and technology.

The decimal system, also known as base-10 or denary, is a numerical system that is based on ten. It is the most commonly used number system in the world, likely because humans typically have ten fingers, which early humans used for counting.

In the decimal system, each digit in a number has a place value. The place value of a digit increases by a power of ten as we move left from the decimal point. For example, in the number 1234.56, the place values are as follows:

• - '1' is in the thousands place (10^3)
• - '2' is in the hundreds place (10^2)
• - '3' is in the tens place (10^1)
• - '4' is in the ones place (10^0)
• - '5' is in the tenths place (10^-1)
• - '6' is in the hundredths place (10^-2)

The decimal system is used in a wide range of fields, including mathematics, engineering, and finance, among others. It is also the basis for the metric system, which is used for scientific measurements.

Converting a decimal number to any other base (binary, octal, hexadecimal, etc.) involves repeatedly dividing the number by the target base and recording the remainder. Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing the conversion:

• 1. Divide the Decimal Number: Divide the decimal number by the base you are converting to.
• 2. Record the Remainder: Write down the remainder.
• 3. Update the Decimal Number: Replace the decimal number with the quotient from the division.
• 4. Repeat: Repeat the process until the quotient is zero.
• 5. Read the Remainders: The remainders, read from bottom to top, give the number in the new base.

Here are some example conversions:

1. Decimal to Binary (Base 2):

Convert the decimal number 45 to binary.

45 ÷ 2 = 22 remainder 1

22 ÷ 2 = 11 remainder 0

11 ÷ 2 = 5 remainder 1

5 ÷ 2 = 2 remainder 1

2 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 0

1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1

Reading the remainders from bottom to top, 45 in decimal is 101101 in binary.

2. Decimal to Hexadecimal (Base 16):

Convert the decimal number 255 to hexadecimal.

255 ÷ 16 = 15 remainder 15 (15 in hexadecimal is F)

15 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 15 (15 in hexadecimal is F)

Reading the remainders from bottom to top, 255 in decimal is FF in hexadecimal. For bases greater than 10 (like hexadecimal uses letters A-F to represent values 10-15), ensure you understand the positional value of each digit in the target base.

By following these steps, you can convert any decimal number to any other base.