Decimal is a numerical system that uses a base of 10. It is the most common numerical system used by humans and is widely used in everyday life for counting, arithmetic calculations, and representing real-world quantities.
In the decimal system, there are ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. These digits are used to represent numbers in a positional notation system, where the value of a digit is determined by its position or place value in a number.
The decimal system follows a place value system, where each digit’s position represents a power of 10. The rightmost digit represents ones, the next digit to the left represents tens, the next represents hundreds, and so on. For example:
- The number 123 in decimal represents 1 hundred (100), 2 tens (20), and 3 ones (3), which can be written as 100 + 20 + 3.
- The number 4567 in decimal represents 4 thousands (4,000), 5 hundreds (500), 6 tens (60), and 7 ones (7), which can be written as 4,000 + 500 + 60 + 7.
The decimal system allows for arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to be performed using familiar rules and algorithms. It is the basis for most everyday calculations, including financial transactions, measurements, and scientific computations.
Decimal numbers can also include a decimal point, which separates the whole number part from the fractional part. The digits to the right of the decimal point represent fractions of a whole. For example:
- The number 3.14 represents 3 whole units and 14 hundredths, or 3 + 0.1 + 0.04.
- The number 123.456 represents 123 whole units, 4 tenths, 5 hundredths, and 6 thousandths, or 123 + 0.4 + 0.05 + 0.006.
Decimal numbers can be positive or negative, and they can be expressed using scientific notation to represent very large or very small numbers.
The decimal system is widely used in various fields, including mathematics, finance, commerce, and everyday calculations. It provides a familiar and intuitive way to represent and work with numbers in our daily lives.
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