Number System Conversion Guide for UGC NET
What Are Number Systems?
A number system is a way to represent numbers using symbols (digits). Different systems
have different bases:
Binary (Base 2): Digits 0, 1
Octal (Base 8): Digits 0–7
Decimal (Base 10): Digits 0–9
Hexadecimal (Base 16): Digits 0–9, A–F (A=10, ..., F=15)
1. Decimal to Binary Conversion
Method:
- Divide the number by 2.
- Write down the remainder.
- Repeat with the quotient until quotient is 0.
- Reverse the remainders.
Example: Convert 25 to binary
25 ÷ 2 = 12 remainder 1
12 ÷ 2 = 6 remainder 0
6 ÷ 2 = 3 remainder 0
3 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 1
1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1
Reversed remainders = 11001
Answer: 25 = 11001 (Binary)
2. Binary to Decimal Conversion
Method:
- Multiply each digit with 2 raised to its position from right to left starting at 0.
- Add the results.
Example: 10110 = 1×2⁴ + 0×2³ + 1×2² + 1×2¹ + 0×2⁰ = 16 + 0 + 4 + 2 + 0 = 22
Answer: 10110 = 22 (Decimal)
3. Decimal to Octal Conversion
Method:
- Divide by 8 and write remainders.
- Reverse the remainders.
Example: 98 ÷ 8 = 12 R2
12 ÷ 8 = 1 R4
1 ÷ 8 = 0 R1
Reversed = 142
Answer: 98 = 142 (Octal)
4. Octal to Decimal Conversion
Method:
- Multiply digits by 8 raised to their positions from right to left.
Example: 235 = 2×8² + 3×8¹ + 5×8⁰ = 128 + 24 + 5 = 157
Answer: 235 = 157 (Decimal)
5. Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion
Method:
- Divide by 16.
- Use A–F for remainders 10–15.
- Reverse remainders.
Example: 255 ÷ 16 = 15 R15 (F)
15 ÷ 16 = 0 R15 (F)
Answer: 255 = FF (Hexadecimal)
6. Hexadecimal to Decimal
Method:
- Multiply each digit with 16 raised to its position from right to left.
Example: 2F = 2×16¹ + 15×1 = 32 + 15 = 47
Answer: 2F = 47 (Decimal)
7. Binary to Octal Conversion
Method:
- Group binary digits in 3s from right.
- Convert each group.
Example: 1101011 → 001 101 011 = 1 5 3 → Answer: 153
8. Binary to Hexadecimal Conversion
Method:
- Group binary digits in 4s from right.
- Convert to hex.
Example: 10101110 → 1010 1110 = A E → Answer: AE
9. Hexadecimal to Binary
Method:
- Replace each hex digit with 4-bit binary.
Example: 3F = 0011 1111 → Answer: 00111111
10. Octal to Binary
Method:
- Replace each octal digit with 3-bit binary.
Example: 726 = 7→111, 2→010, 6→110 → Answer: 111010110
Quick Reference Table
Decimal → Binary: Divide by 2, reverse remainders
Binary → Decimal: Multiply digits by powers of 2
Decimal → Octal: Divide by 8, reverse remainders
Octal → Decimal: Multiply digits by powers of 8
Decimal → Hex: Divide by 16, use A–F for 10–15
Hex → Decimal: Multiply by powers of 16
Binary ↔ Octal: Group in 3s
Binary ↔ Hex: Group in 4s
Octal ↔ Hex: Convert via binary
