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Research draft

radix

vr.tr.radix · XCT.QTY

Let an agent explain radix and positional notation, convert numbers between bases, describe common bases in computing and history, and separate other senses of radix.

Thing Registry Cross-cutting context

Research draft, second pass

A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.

written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify

Researched by: Claude

Purpose and description

Let an agent explain radix and positional notation, convert numbers between bases, describe common bases in computing and history, and separate other senses of radix.

The number of unique digits, including zero, used to represent numbers in a positional numeral system, also called the base, such as ten for decimal, two for binary, eight for octal, sixteen for hexadecimal and sixty for the Babylonian system; the radix determines place values and is used in computing, mathematics and number representation, with the word also denoting a root in botany and linguistics.

What it is for: The base of a numeral system.

It can be explain radix and place value; convert between bases; describe common bases; separate other senses.

Distinguishing features

Positive integer

Defines place value

Computing relevance

Historical variety

What it looks like

Not physical; a positive integer defining a numeral system.

How it is recognised

Number of digits in a positional system

Decimal ten, binary two, hexadecimal sixteen

A root in botany or a word root are other senses

Related models

is a kind of - category

positive integer

is a kind of - category

number

is related to - arithmetic in bases

calculation

is related to - naming in decimal

billion

In practice

Families and kinds

decimal radix

binary, octal and hexadecimal radices

sexagesimal and other historical radices

mixed radix systems

non-integer and negative radices

Standards and regulation

Mathematical and computing notation conventions

Standards for number representation in software

Failure modes and hazards

Confusing digit strings across bases

Conversion errors

Confusing radix senses

Where this came from

wikidata · CC0 1.0

Drafted structure

Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.

Define What a radix is.

Concepts.

Definition

Radix and place value.

Definition

Definition.

  1. What is a radix, and how does it determine place values in positional notation? definition
  2. Is the numeral base, a botanical root or a word root meant? boundary

Bases

Common bases.

Bases

Bases.

  1. Why are binary, octal and hexadecimal used in computing, and why is decimal common in daily life? definition
  2. What are mixed radix systems such as time and angles? definition
Convert Converting bases.

Practice.

Calculate

Base conversion.

Calculate

Conversion.

  1. What is this number in another base, and how is the conversion done? action
  2. How are fractions represented in other bases? definition

Arithmetic

Arithmetic in bases.

Arithmetic

Arithmetic.

  1. How are addition, subtraction and multiplication performed in binary or hexadecimal? action
  2. How does radix affect divisibility tests? definition
Computing Radix in computing.

Applications.

Representation

Number representation.

Representation

Representation.

  1. How do computers represent integers and floating point numbers with radix two, and what is a radix point? definition
  2. What is radix sort? definition

Notation

Notation and prefixes.

Notation

Notation.

  1. How are bases indicated in programming languages and mathematics? provenance
  2. Which pitfalls arise in reading numeric literals? provenance
Learn History and teaching.

Education.

History

History of bases.

History

History.

  1. How did positional systems with different radices develop, from Babylonian sexagesimal to Hindu-Arabic decimal? provenance
  2. Which cultures used other bases? provenance

Teach

Teaching.

Teach

Teaching.

  1. How can radix and base conversion be taught? action
  2. Which misconceptions arise? provenance

What the second pass must settle

  • Should each base be a separate entry?
  • How should conversion tools be linked?
  • How should historical systems be linked?