Number Systems

Do you know when we were young we only knew there are odd numbers and even numbers? In this article we will learn about some other classification of numbers!

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StudySmarter Editorial Team

Team Number Systems Teachers

  • 5 minutes reading time
  • Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team
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    A number system is made up of different types of numbers that all have a certain property or properties. There are many different types of number systems:

    • Natural (or counting) numbers

    • Whole numbers

    • Integers

    • Rational numbers

    • Irrational numbers

    • Real numbers

    • Complex numbers

    The number systems

    Natural (or counting) numbers

    A natural number can be described as a positive whole number, they start from 1 and go onwards; 1, 2, 3, 4...

    1, 44, 170, 5000

    Natural numbers can be represented on a number line;

    Natural Numbers Number Systems StudySmarterNatural Numbers, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter Original

    Whole numbers

    Whole numbers are all of the natural numbers plus zero. They start at 0 and go onwards; 0, 1, 2, 3, 4...

    Whole numbers can also be represented on a number line;

    Whole Numbers Number Systems StudySmarterWhole Numbers, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter Originals

    Integers

    An integer includes both positive and negative whole numbers, as well as zero. They include ......,-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,.......

    -36, -2, 0, 5, 79

    Integers can be shown on a number line;

    Integers Number Systems StudySmarterIntegers, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter

    Rational numbers

    A rational number can be written as a fraction, ab, where a and b are both integers and b is not equal to 0. A decimal that terminates or has an indefinite repeating pattern can also be considered a rational number.

    15, 5.7, 105, 6.8

    Irrational numbers

    Irrational numbers are numbers that cannot be written in the form ab, where a and b are both integers and b does not equal 0. An irrational number is a number that doesn't have a terminating or reoccurring decimal.

    The most well known example of an irrational number is pi (π), this is a number that has a decimal that goes on forever without repeating any pattern;

    π=3.14159265...

    Complex numbers

    A complex number can be written in the form a+bi, where a and b are both real numbers and i is an imaginary unit.

    4+3i, 12+6i, 7+12i

    Real number system

    The real numbers include all rational and irrational numbers, and thus all natural numbers, whole numbers, and integers. This can be shown in the diagram below, this is a Venn diagram where which indicates how they all link to one another;

    Number Systems Diagram StudySmarter

    Number Systems, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter Originals

    This diagram shows that each subset fits within the larger set, for example, it shows that all rational numbers are real numbers, and so on. All integers are rational numbers and real numbers. Since the natural numbers set sits within all of the other subsets, a natural number can be considered a whole number, integer, rational number and a real number.

    It is useful to be able to identify which type of number it is that you have been given.

    Which number system or systems does 46 belong to?

    Solution:

    To identify this you are able to use your calculator to solve the square root to see what type of number it is;

    46=6.7823...

    Since the decimal does not terminate or repeat, this is an irrational number.

    To which number system or systems does 64 belong to?

    Solution:

    Once again you can solve the square root to identify the type of number;

    64=8

    Since 64 is equal to 8, 64 belongs to the number systems of, natural numbers, whole numbers, integers and rational numbers.

    Graphing real numbers

    To graph real numbers simply means to place them in order on a number line. There are different indicators that can be added to the number line to represent the set of numbers that are being graphed. Let's work through some examples to explore each of these indicators;

    Graph the set of numbers x1

    Solution:

    To do this you need to first start by drawing a number line, the first number that is included is 1. To show that x could equal one you draw a filled dot above the number. Since there is no end to the graph, rather than drawing all of the numbers onto the graph you can simply draw an arrow going past the last number to indicate it is continuing;

    Worked example Number Systems StudySmarterGraphing real numbers example, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter Originals

    Graph the set of numbers id="2600988" role="math" x<10

    Solution:

    For this example you need to first start by drawing your number line, then you can begin to input the information. Since this time x is smaller than 10 but does not include 10, the circle above 10 will not be colored in.

    Worked example Number Systems StudySmarter

    Graphing real numbers example, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter Originals

    Graph the set of numbers x45

    Solution:

    For this example you need to first start by drawing your number line, then you can begin to input the information. Since the x is smaller than and includes 45, the circle above 45 will be colored in.

    Number Systems Graphing real numbers StudySmarter

    Graphing real numbers example, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter Originals

    Graph the set of numbers x-6

    Solution:

    To begin with, draw out your number line, then you can start to input the information. Since x is bigger then or equal to -6, the circle above the -6 should be colored in.

    Number Systems Graphing real numbers StudySmarter

    Graphing real numbers example, Thomas-Gay - StudySmarter Originals

    Number Systems - Key takeaways

    • Numbers can belong to the set of whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, real numbers and complex numbers.
    • Rational numbers are numbers that are represented as a fraction, in the form ab, where a and b are integers and b0, a terminating or a reoccurring decimal.
    • Irrational numbers have a decimal that do not terminate with no repeating pattern.
    • Complex numbers are written in the form, a+bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit.
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    Number Systems
    Frequently Asked Questions about Number Systems

    What is the number system?

    The number system is made up of different types of numbers.

    What are examples of number system?

    Some examples of different types of numbers that make up the number system include;

    • Natural numbers
    • Whole numbers
    • Integers
    • Rational numbers
    • Irrational numbers
    • Real numbers
    • Complex numbers


    What is the concept of a number system?

    It is a method of writing numbers which represents the different sets of numbers.

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