What Does Base Mean in Mathematics? 

The base is the lowest layer of a geometric figure. It is also the foundation of a number system. Several number systems have different bases. Each system uses different combinations of digits as its base. When changing from one base to another, it may seem confusing at first. But converting between bases is a simple process. 

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The most common base is base ten. This is the basis of the decimal number system, and dates back to ancient civilizations. Numbers can be converted from this base to other bases. Some people prefer using the base-12 system, which is claimed to be better than the decimal. In addition to its superiority over the decimal, the Dozenal Society of America claims that the base-12 system makes learning the multiplication tables easier. 

Another type of base is the hexadecimal system. This type has more than 10 digits and is often used in computers to represent words. Usually, the digits are written in a subscript after the number. Sometimes, the digit is even written in a symbol. The symbol represents the natural logarithm of the base. Mathematicians use this symbol to compute the common logarithm. 

Binary is also a type of base, though it is used in electronic systems. Most electronic systems can deal with either 0s or 1s. However, binary does not have good compactness. Base-2 is also a type of base, but it is more human-readable. And base 16 is also a type of base. Using the base-16 system, you can easily express a large number in fewer digits. 

Other number systems include the octal, which uses eight digits to represent numbers. Also, there is the unary numeral system. These types of systems are the simplest to represent natural numbers. They are bijective, which means that each digit represents a number N N times. 

Many languages, such as Latin, use base ten to represent a number. However, other countries have adopted a number system that uses base twenty. For example, Ancient Egypt used the decimal system, and the Greeks and Romans created a base-5 system. 

The octal and hexadecimal are also used to represent large numbers. Both of these systems can be used for mathematical computations and are helpful in scientific notation. Hexadecimal and octal are also useful in the study of geometry. Since base ten is the basis of the decimal, it is commonly taught to children around the world to help them count. 

Although there are other bases in mathematics, the base-10 is the most commonly used. Thousands of years ago, counting with your fingers was simplified. A number of other countries used a base-20 system, which is also called the denary base. If you want to learn more about bases, check out the tab Atkins-Bittner system. You can also use a math teaching guide to find out more about the various bases. 

Besides the base ten, there are other number systems such as the hexadecimal and the binary. The hexadecimal is a computer-based number system.