Difference between revisions of "Octal math"
(Created page with "{{Note|This article is about octal, which is a real thing. For more information, consult [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octal the other wiki].}} The people of Delgar use '''o...") |
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{{Note|This article is about octal, which is a real thing. For more information, consult [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octal the other wiki].}} | {{Note|This article is about octal, which is a real thing. For more information, consult [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octal the other wiki].}} | ||
| − | The people of Delgar use '''octal math'''. What this means is that they write the number 7 with one symbol ("7") but they write the number 8 with two symbols ('10"). If you've ever studied numeric bases for some reason (probably computer science) you already understand this, but in case it's confusing, here's the basic idea: | + | The people of Delgar use '''octal math'''. What this means is that they write the number 7 with one symbol ("7") but they write the number 8 with two symbols ('10"). If you've ever studied numeric bases for some reason (probably computer science) you probably already understand this, but in case it's confusing, here's the basic idea: |
| − | In decimal (the numbers you know and love) | + | In decimal (the numbers you know and love) we have 10 different symbols for numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. When counting, after passing 9, we have no individual symbol to write the number 10, so we write it with two symbols: one in the "ten's place" and one in the "one's place", like so: |
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |+ | ||
| + | !Tens (10<sup>1</sup>) | ||
| + | !Ones (10<sup>0</sup>) | ||
| + | !Calculation | ||
| + | !Value (Decimal) | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |1 | ||
| + | |0 | ||
| + | |1×10<sup>1</sup> + 1×10<sup>0</sup> | ||
| + | |10 | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | Octal works the same way, but it only has 8 symbols (like an '''oct'''agon has 8 sides): 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. After 7, they use two symbols to write the number 8, like so: "10" | ||
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |+ | ||
| + | !Eights (8<sup>1</sup>) | ||
| + | !Ones (8<sup>0</sup>) | ||
| + | !Calculation | ||
| + | !Value (Decimal) | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |1 | ||
| + | |0 | ||
| + | |1×8<sup>1</sup> + 1×8<sup>0</sup> | ||
| + | |8 | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | Okay, but now when I see the number "10" how do I know if it's a ten or an eight? Easy: Unless specified otherwise, it's ten. To do anything else would be very confusing. When a number is octal, it will be indicated with a subscript 8, like so: 10<sub>8</sub> = 8. | ||
| + | {{Note|1=For single digit numbers, this distinction is immaterial. 5{8} = 5{10<nowiki>}</nowiki>}} | ||
Revision as of 02:07, 3 April 2021
Note: This article is about octal, which is a real thing. For more information, consult the other wiki.
The people of Delgar use octal math. What this means is that they write the number 7 with one symbol ("7") but they write the number 8 with two symbols ('10"). If you've ever studied numeric bases for some reason (probably computer science) you probably already understand this, but in case it's confusing, here's the basic idea:
In decimal (the numbers you know and love) we have 10 different symbols for numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. When counting, after passing 9, we have no individual symbol to write the number 10, so we write it with two symbols: one in the "ten's place" and one in the "one's place", like so:
| Tens (101) | Ones (100) | Calculation | Value (Decimal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1×101 + 1×100 | 10 |
Octal works the same way, but it only has 8 symbols (like an octagon has 8 sides): 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. After 7, they use two symbols to write the number 8, like so: "10"
| Eights (81) | Ones (80) | Calculation | Value (Decimal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1×81 + 1×80 | 8 |
Okay, but now when I see the number "10" how do I know if it's a ten or an eight? Easy: Unless specified otherwise, it's ten. To do anything else would be very confusing. When a number is octal, it will be indicated with a subscript 8, like so: 108 = 8.
Note: For single digit numbers, this distinction is immaterial. 5{8} = 5{10}
