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Base (mathematics)
As it applies to general mathematics, a base is the number of single digits denoting different values in a positional numeral system, including zero. The decimal system uses base ten, hence the maximum number a single digit will ever reach is 9, after this it is necessary to add another digit to achieve a higher number.
Bases work using exponentiation. For example the decimal number 465 is represented by:
4 * 102 + 6 * 101 + 5 * 100, where 100 = 1.
Non-integer numbers can be represented by using negative exponents (0.1 = 1 * 10-1).
See also: Numeral system.
Last updated: 05-29-2005 06:38:05
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details