Place Value
This section explores our number system and how it works. Why can we represent any number between positive and negative infinity with only ten distinct symbols? The answer is that the position of each symbol relative to the other numbers changes its value.
Another question for you to think about is, why do you “carry the one” when you add and multiply?
Early number systems
Early number systems seem reminiscent of a tally system.
- Roman numerals
- Babylonian base 60
Babylonian Numerals
Roman Numerals
The invention of the zero
The invention of the zero was a significant advance in our number systems.
Modern Numbers
Base 10 Place Value Systems
The value of a digit depends on its position relative to our decimal point. Notice that although we don’t always write the decimal point, its position is always important.
Different bases
- We can use any number as the basis of a place-value system
- Computers use base 2 and 16
- These bases provide different representations of the same number
The number 5
- Here are five dots …..
- We can call this “five”
- Others call it “cinco”
- In decimal we call it “5”
- In binary we call it “101”
Base 10 Rules
- Place to the left of the decimal is worth 1
- Every place is worth 10 times the place on its right
- There are only ten symbols (0 through 9)
- (Remember, 10 is not a symbol, it is a combination of 1 and 0.)
- If we exceed the available values, we go to the left
Base X Rules
- Place to the left of the decimal is worth 1
- Every place is worth X times the place on its right
- There are only X symbols (0 through X-1)
- (Remember, X is not a symbol, it is a combination of 1 and 0. First rule of base X, don’t talk about X.)
- If we exceed the available values in a place, we go to the left
Counting
Base 10 | Base 8 | Base 5 | Dots |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 | . |
2 | 2 | 2 | : |
3 | 3 | 3 | :. |
4 | 4 | 4 | :: |
5 | 5 | 10 | ::. |
6 | 6 | 11 | ::: |
7 | 7 | 12 | :::. |
8 | 10 | 13 | :::: |
9 | 11 | 14 | ::::. |
10 | 12 | 20 | ::::: |
Our Base 10 System
What if you only have eight fingers?
Base 8
- 8^0 = 1
- 8^1 = 8
- 8^2 = 64
Binary representation
A base 2 system is the basis for computer representations of numbers.
The computer performs all calculations in binary and then converts to decimal.
Hexadecimal representation
This is a base sixteen representation. It includes the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F to represent 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.
You may see this if you have worked with computer colors for websites or graphic design.
Hand Calculation Algorithms
The techniques you learned to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers exploit the place value system.
Imagine multiplication if you had only tally marks or stones as a representation. To multiply 5 by 6, you would make five piles of six stones and then carefully count all 30 stones to arrive at your answer. Any multiplication resulting in an impractical number of stones would be beyond your capability.
Visualization of multiplication areas
See written notes
Visualization of multiplication algorithms
- Do you understand how these algorithms work?
- Can you see them as a tree model estimation?
Lattice multiplication
Division
- Repeated subtraction
- Long division
- Repeated quotients
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of place-value in our algorithms
Multiplication
- Repeated addition
- Place value allows for simple algorithms to compute multiplication
- Traditional multiplication
- Lattice multiplication
Further reading
- Strogatz, From Fish to Infinity
- Strogatz, Location, Location, Location