We know that the number system that we are using is composed of ten symbols. These symbols are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. They are called the Hindu - Arabic numerals because they were originated in India, adopted by Arabs and then took their current form in Europe. Our number system is called the base ten system because its counting system is based only on the ten symbols zero to nine.

Apart from our commonly used base ten number system; other base number systems, different from ten, are also used for different purposes. In this unit therefore, you will also be introduced to other base number systems like base two, base five, base eight and base sixteen number systems.