Number system with an irrational base

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of number systems with irrational bases, including specific examples such as base pi, base e, and the Fibonacci base system. Participants explore the properties, efficiency, and implications of these unconventional bases, as well as related topics like unary and harmonic bases.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express interest in irrational bases, noting examples like base pi, base e, and the Fibonacci base system.
  • One participant mentions that irrational bases function similarly to rational bases, but does not elaborate further.
  • Another participant highlights that base 1 is known as unary and suggests searching for more information on it, indicating limited discussion on its properties.
  • It is noted that base efficiency relates to the expected length of representation and the number of symbols used, particularly in non-integer bases.
  • A participant claims that base e is theoretically the most efficient base, although the source of this claim is not accessible to all participants.
  • Discussion includes a humorous mention of harmonic bases, with a vague description of their structure.
  • One participant inquires about the exploration of base 3/2 and requests examples of how to represent numbers in that base.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various interests and perspectives on the topic, but there is no consensus on the practicality or efficiency of the different bases discussed. Multiple competing views remain regarding the characteristics and implications of irrational bases.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about base efficiency and properties of irrational bases depend on specific definitions and assumptions that are not fully explored in the discussion. The mathematical steps related to these claims are not resolved.

BenVitale
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Could you provide a link to a 'number system with an irrational base'?

I only found this link http://www.jstor.org/pss/3029218

The link shows a small part of this number system ... I would to know more about it.
 
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There's not much to say -- they work just like number systems with rational bases.
 
Actually, I'm interested in the unusual bases, such as,

- Base 1
- Fibonacci base system
- Irrational bases: pi base, e base, Phi base

The Fibonacci base system is easy.

Base 1 : I haven't looked into it, yet.

Irrational bases
---------------
Bergman investigated irrational bases in 1957 [Bergman, G. "A Number System with an Irrational Base"] ... I don't have access to Bergman's article. Have you read it?

base pi and base e not so common - they are impractical.

phi is irrational and is solution to x^2 - x - 1 = 0
pi and e cannot be roots of a polynomial with integral cefficients.

This statement caught my attention:
It was shown e to be theoretically the most efficient base out of every possible base.

On Page 7/32

Source: http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Resources/Papers/FracBase.pdf
 
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For base 1, search for "unary"; you'll find a lot of things using it, though probably not too much discussing it directly (again, there's not much to say).

"Base efficiency" in that sense relates to expected length of representation times number of symbols (the per-symbol entropy, really, when we look at non-integer bases). It's not hard to do the calculation on your own here.
 
"Base 1" is easy: 1, 11, 111, 1111, 11111 are the numbers that, in base 10, would be called 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
 
Harmonic basis is funny:

0+ a/2! + c/3! + d/4! + e/5! +

or something son. For each n, the coefficient must be an integer less than n.
 
Has anyone explored base 3/2 ?
Write in base 3/2 the numbers 1, 2, 3,...,10, ... 20,...
 

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