DECIMAL REPRESENTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Decimal representation refers to the numerical system used to express numbers using the base-10 system, employing the ten digits from 0 to 9. It is a positional notation system, meaning that the numerical value of a digit is determined by its position in the number.
In this representation, any number can be expressed as a combination of digits, with each digit representing a multiple of a power of ten. The rightmost digit represents the units place, the next digit represents the tens place, followed by the hundreds place, and so on. The value of the digit is multiplied by the corresponding power of ten to determine its positional value in the number.
For instance, the decimal representation of the number 352.94 consists of the digit 3 in the hundreds place, the digit 5 in the tens place, the digit 2 in the units place, the digit 9 in the tenths place, and the digit 4 in the hundredths place.
Decimal representation allows for a simplistic and intuitive way to express and manipulate numbers, making it widely used in everyday life, commerce, and mathematics. It is the most common representation employed in communication systems and mathematical calculations. Its ease of use and compatibility with human cognition make decimal representation a primary choice for individuals for performing arithmetic operations, making comparisons, and conveying numerical values.
Etymology of DECIMAL REPRESENTATION
The word "decimal" comes from the Latin term "decimus", meaning "tenth". This is derived from the root "decem" which means "ten" in Latin.
The term "representation" is derived from the Latin word "repraesentare", which is a combination of "re-" (meaning "again" or "back") and "praesentare" (meaning "to present" or "to display").
When we combine these two roots, "decimal" and "representation", we get "decimal representation", which refers to the system of presenting numbers based on powers of ten, typically using digits 0-9. This term describes the method of expressing a value in the decimal numeral system, which is widely used in everyday life and mathematics.
