decimal system

1. the number system in general use, having a base of ten, in which numbers are expressed by combinations of the ten digits 0 to 9

2. a system of measurement, such as the metric system, in which the multiple and submultiple units are related to a basic unit by powers of ten

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

decimal system

[′des·məl ‚sis·təm]

(mathematics)

A number system based on the number 10; in theory, each unit is 10 times the next smaller one.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Decimal System

the most widespread system of numeration. The base of the decimal system is the number 10, which forms a unit of the second order. The unit of the third order is 100 = 10². In general, the unit of each subsequent order is 10 times greater than the unit of the preceding order (it has been suggested that the selection of the number 10 as the base of the decimal system is connected with counting on one’s fingers).

The decimal system is based on the positional principle, that is, the same symbol (digit) has different values, depending on the position in which it is placed. Thus, in order to write all numbers, only the first ten numbers require special symbols. These symbols, which are designated by 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, are called digits. To write a number, one determines how many units of the highest order are contained in it: then in the remainder, one determines the number of units of the order, which is one unit smaller, and so forth. The resulting digits are written in a sequence: for example, 4 × 10² + 7 × 10¹ + 3 × 10° = 473. Operations on numbers are carried out according to the order, that is, independently for the numbers of each order. If in so doing one obtains a number greater than 10 (in addition and multiplication), one adds one or several units to the following, higher order. In division and subtraction, it is necessary to break the orders down into smaller orders.

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References in periodicals archive

It's based on a decimal system to make calculations simple and is used by nearly all the world.

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Intended primarily for the University of South Africa (Unisa) undergraduate student, this work proceeds from an explanation of the Dewey Decimal System (DDC) to an examination of the formats for providing references using the Harvard method.

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Included in the inaccuracies are: the connection between Fibonnaci and the decimal system; the relationship between current yield and market interest rates; the identification of joint stocks with limited liability; the omission of James Dodson, Richard Price, and the Equitable from early history of insurance; the treatment of hedging; and confusion about the composition of subprime mortgage borrowers.

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World

The decimal system of numbers is our constant companion as we strive to make sense of the world.

Number systems as metaphors

The result is Compiled by Mike Harris 1 The first group referred to the UK coins of the realm prior to the introduction of the decimal system. They were the farthing (1/4d), halfpenny (1/2d /ha'penny), penny (1d), threepenny piece (3d/joey), sixpence (6d/tanner), shilling (1s/bob), two shillings (2s0d/florin) and half-a-crown (2s/6d).

QUIZOPEDIA

The Arabic numeral - an improvement on the original Hindu concept - and the Arab decimal system facilitated the course of science.

For the record

In their introduction to Between the Covers, Hammond and Heltzel state their organizing principle, with a nod to library classification: "Just as the Dewey Decimal System was invented to impose order on books, we've created a system of our own to guide and stimulate your reading ...

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of 812.5 in the Dewey decimal system, where we would do it in the

Not Renouncing

He was named after the Dewey decimal system used to catalogue books and lived at the library until his death last November.

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It is an interesting fact that the development of modern finance in the early 13th century should have required Europeans to adopt a combination of Indian and Arabic models, replacing the Roman numeric system of counting (i, ii, iii, iv, etc) with a decimal system. A young mathematician from Pisa called Fibonacci made this modification, working in Bejaia in Algeria on the idea of a decimal system.

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