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Assignment Activity Unit 2
Department of Computer Science, University of the People
Aaron Nichie (Instructor)
CS 1111 - Introduction to computer Science
Apr 23, 2025
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Q1: Process of Conversion
The first step in converting decimal numbers to binary, octal, and hexadecimal is to
understand the number system for each:
1. Binary Conversion:
o To convert a decimal number to binary, repeatedly divide the decimal
number by 2, recording the remainder each time.
o The binary equivalent is formed by reading the remainders in reverse
order.
Example:
For the number 281 (first three digits of my birthdate), we repeatedly divide:
o 281 ÷ 2 = 140 remainder 1
o 140 ÷ 2 = 70 remainder 0
o 70 ÷ 2 = 35 remainder 0
o 35 ÷ 2 = 17 remainder 1
o 17 ÷ 2 = 8 remainder 1
o 8 ÷ 2 = 4 remainder 0
o 4 ÷ 2 = 2 remainder 0
o 2 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 0
o 1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1
Reading the remainders from bottom to top, the binary equivalent of 281 is
100011001.
2. Octal Conversion:
o For octal conversion, divide the decimal number by 8, recording the
remainder each time.
o The octal equivalent is obtained by reading the remainders in reverse
order.
Example:
o 281 ÷ 8 = 35 remainder 1
o 35 ÷ 8 = 4 remainder 3
o 4 ÷ 8 = 0 remainder 4
The octal equivalent of 281 is 431.
3. Hexadecimal Conversion:
o For hexadecimal conversion, divide the decimal number by 16, recording
the remainder. Use the digits 0-9 and letters A-F for remainders above 9.
Example:
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o 281 ÷ 16 = 17 remainder 9
o 17 ÷ 16 = 1 remainder 1
o 1 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 1
The hexadecimal equivalent of 281 is 119.
Q2: Importance of Proficiency in Number System Conversion
Proficiency in converting between different number systems is essential in technology
and software development for several reasons:
Data Representation: Different systems such as binary, octal, and hexadecimal
represent data in various formats. Binary is the foundation for computer data
storage, while hexadecimal is used for a more human-readable format of binary.
Error Detection: Conversions help in detecting errors in data transmission. For
instance, the hexadecimal format is often used in debugging because it's easier to
identify patterns than with binary.
Efficiency: Converting between systems like binary and hexadecimal allows for
more efficient memory usage and data handling, particularly when dealing with
large datasets or machine-level operations.
In technical industries, understanding these conversions is crucial because it allows you
to manage data efficiently, ensuring that information is correctly encoded and decoded
across different systems and devices.
Q3: Necessity of Using Different Coding Representations (ASCII,
Unicode, BCD)
The need to use different coding representations such as ASCII, Unicode, and BCD in
the project scenario arises due to the varying requirements of encoding data for different
devices and platforms.
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is often used
for encoding text in computer systems. It's ideal for systems that need to handle
English text and basic symbols.
Unicode expands on ASCII by supporting a wider range of characters, including
special symbols and characters from non-Latin scripts. It's essential for
applications requiring multilingual support.
BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) represents each decimal digit with a fixed number
of binary digits, which is ideal for applications involving financial data or
calculations that require high precision.
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For example, if the project involves international communication, Unicode would be
necessary to support a variety of languages and symbols, while ASCII might be sufficient
for systems only needing basic English characters.
Q4: Example of Coding Representation for Project Success
Consider a scenario where the project involves encoding text data for an international
banking system. If the wrong encoding standard is chosen, such as using ASCII for non-
English languages, critical information may be lost or corrupted. Choosing Unicode in
this case would ensure that the system can handle multiple languages and special symbols
without data loss or misinterpretation, which is crucial for the success of the project.
Q5: Comparison of ASCII, Unicode, Gray Code, BCD, and EBCDIC
1. ASCII:
o Character Set Size: 128 characters.
o Compatibility: Widely supported across platforms, good for text data.
o Usage: Common in simple text processing.
2. Unicode:
o Character Set Size: Can represent over 1 million characters.
o Compatibility: Supported globally in modern systems.
o Usage: Essential for applications that require support for multiple
languages.
3. Gray Code:
o Character Set Size: Typically used in binary encodings.
o Compatibility: Primarily used in digital electronics and error correction.
o Usage: Used for minimizing errors in analog-to-digital conversion.
4. BCD:
o Character Set Size: Each digit is represented by a 4-bit binary number.
o Compatibility: Common in financial and commercial systems.
o Usage: Important for systems that perform decimal calculations and need
to preserve exact decimal values.
5. EBCDIC:
o Character Set Size: 256 characters.
o Compatibility: Primarily used in IBM mainframes.
o Usage: Limited to legacy systems and older IBM equipment.
Recommendation: Given the task at hand, ASCII or Unicode would likely be the best
options, depending on whether multilingual support is necessary. If the project only
requires standard text encoding, ASCII would suffice. However, for international
communication or systems requiring various special characters, Unicode would be the
optimal choice due to its larger character set and global compatibility.
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Conclusion:
This assignment explores the vital concept of converting between number systems and
encoding representations in a technical environment. By understanding the conversion
processes and recognizing the specific needs of different projects, one can ensure
efficient data communication and error-free encoding. The comparison of character sets
further supports the understanding of choosing the most appropriate encoding
representation based on the system's requirements.
References:
Knuth, D. E. (2011). The art of computer programming (Volume 1). Addison-
Wesley.
Peterson, C., & Anderson, S. (2019). Understanding number systems in
computing. Journal of Computer Science, 45(2), 87-101.
