Number systems and binary codes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the equation (135)x + (144)x = (323)x to find the value of the base x. Participants explore various methods for determining the base, including a conventional quadratic approach and a proposed shorter method involving digit summation and carry handling.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest converting both sides of the equation to decimal to form a quadratic equation as a standard method for finding x.
  • Others propose a shorter method involving summing the least significant digits and considering how the result translates in different bases, although there is uncertainty about the correctness of this approach.
  • A participant emphasizes that the base must be greater than the largest digit present in the numbers, indicating that x must be greater than 5 for the given problem.
  • There is a discussion about the logic of how to interpret the results of digit summation in different bases, particularly when the sum exceeds the base.
  • Some participants express confusion about the proposed short method and seek clarification on how to apply it correctly.
  • One participant mentions trying various bases systematically to find a solution, suggesting a trial-and-error approach.
  • There is a challenge regarding the understanding of positional notation and radix number systems, with some participants questioning others' grasp of these concepts.
  • A later reply indicates that one participant believes they have resolved their confusion regarding the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effectiveness of the short method versus the conventional approach. There are multiple competing views on how to interpret the problem and the best way to find the base x.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the base must be greater than the highest digit in the numbers involved, and there is ongoing uncertainty about the application of the proposed short method, particularly in handling carries and interpreting results in different bases.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students learning about number systems, base conversions, and mathematical reasoning related to radix systems.

ranju
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Homework Statement


Given (135)x + (144)x = (323)x. What is the value of base x?
Now we can find out the value of x by simply converting to decimal both the sides , form a quadratic equation and solve but once in a random lecture our prof. taught us a kind of short method to solve this in less time followed by " here with base is unknown 5+4 is giving 3 , now 5+4 is 9 so we'll write digits from 0-8 and then further repeat it by adding the same with carry until we get 3.. See I am not sure that what I stated is correct.. I maybe skipping somet data.. So , I just wanted to know about this short method
what actually this method is like?? [/B]

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


In one method we simply convert in quadratic as : (1*x2 +3*x+5*x0) + (1*x2+4*x+4*x0) = 3*x2+2*x+3*x0
and x will come out to be 3[/B]
 
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ranju said:

Homework Statement


Given (135)x + (144)x = (323)x. What is the value of base x?
Now we can find out the value of x by simply converting to decimal both the sides , form a quadratic equation and solve but once in a random lecture our prof. taught us a kind of short method to solve this in less time followed by " here with base is unknown 5+4 is giving 3 , now 5+4 is 9 so we'll write digits from 0-8 and then further repeat it by adding the same with carry until we get 3.. See I am not sure that what I stated is correct.. I maybe skipping somet data.. So , I just wanted to know about this short method
what actually this method is like?? [/B]
First thing you should consider that the base cannot be smaller then "inside"numbers.Example ##(1204)_x## here x must be higher then 4, ##x>4##.You cannot write ##(143)_3##
Here the rule If you add 5+4 you get 9 but 9 is here 3 so.You need to think this way.First consider the rule which I wrote above Second there's a number ( which here x) , If I do this (9/x) remaining will be 3.
 
ranju said:
In one method we simply convert in quadratic as : (1*x2 +3*x+5*x0) + (1*x2+4*x+4*x0) = 3*x2+2*x+3*x0
and x will come out to be 3
Here x will not come out 3.The way of thinking is true.I mean equation is true but result is false
 
RyanH42 said:
If I do this (9/x) remaining will be 3.
I didn't get this , what is ths logic??
 
Given (135)x + (144)x = (323)x. What is the value of base x?
When the least significant digit of each is summed we know the result is nine and if we were working to base ten
we would write the resut as digit 9. But we are working in a base where this result is written as a 3.

So what do you conclude is the base?
 
NascentOxygen said:
what do you conclude is the base
but how to conclude about the base in this method??
 
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ranju said:
but how to conclude about the base in this method??
Do you understand how positional notation and radix number systems work? If you don't have a solid grasp on that, you should study it before attempting this technique.
 
ranju said:
but how to conclude about the base in this method??
When you can't see a clear path, be adventurous: try various possibilities in turn and something will eventually leap out at you.

In the case in point, try ALL possible bases, one at a time.
 
phinds said:
Do you understand how positional notation and radix number systems work?
Yes I am quite familiar with it.. and I have solved it accordingly but about the short method I am confused..
 
  • #10
ranju said:
Yes I am quite familiar with it...
Your statement in post #6 suggests that this is not true.
 
  • #11
phinds said:
Your statement in post #6 suggests that this is not true
see about that radix number system , I have done with the conventional method as I stated in my question..but in the short method the picture is different ..if 5+5 =4 and we are getting 3 for base x in the result , how to take the possibilities that's the problem..!
 
  • #12
NascentOxygen said:
In the case in point, try ALL possible bases, one at a time.
How to try the possibilities ..?? what I am seeing your answer is to compare both sides ..is it so??
 
  • #13
ranju said:
see about that radix number system , I have done with the conventional method as I stated in my question..but in the short method the picture is different ..if 5+5 =4 and we are getting 3 for base x in the result , how to take the possibilities that's the problem..!
Here's a three digit number: 1 3 5
I haven't told you the base it is written in. ( I'll give you a hint: it is not binary!)
What possible bases might it have? List some of them.
 
  • #14
ranju said:
...if 5+5 =4 and we are getting 3 for base x in the result ...
Huh? Where did that set of numbers come from?
 
  • #15
NascentOxygen said:
What possible bases might it have?
the base will be any number greater than 5..!
 
  • #16
phinds said:
Huh? Where did that set of numbers come from?
sorry its 5+4 .. these are the LSBs of the given problem..!
 
  • #17
ranju said:
the base will be any number greater than 5..!
Right!

So work your way up through the first dozen of these possibilities, applying it to the arithmetic expression in your first post.
 
  • #18
ranju said:
sorry its 5+4 .. these are the LSBs of the given problem..!
Right. So now we're back to NascentOxygen's question in post #5, which you never answered, which led me to believe that you don't have a good understanding of positional notation and radix number systems. If you did have that understanding, you would not have even asked the question, so I again suggest that you go back to the basics and learn them before trying to apply them.

Look, I'm not trying to insult you or give you a hard time. We see this all the time here on the forum. Someone feels that they have a good grasp of particular material but their questions make it clear that this is not the case. In such cases, I always feel that it's a good idea for them to go back to the basics.

If you don't want to do that then NascentOxygen has given you enough hints to lead you to the answer for this particular problem and ones similar to it (but possibly not enough to generalize to all such radix number system problems, which is why I suggest going back to the basics).
 
Last edited:
  • #19
NascentOxygen said:
Right!

So work your way up through the first dozen of these possibilities, using the arithmetic expression in your first post.
that's the problem actually I tried this thing..if we see as a whole all and all base 6 suits it..b
phinds said:
Right. So now we're back to NascentOxygen's question in post #5, which you never answered, which led me to believe that you don't have a good understanding of positional notation and radix number systems. If you did have that understanding, you would not have even asked the question, so I again suggest that you go back to the basics and learn them before trying to apply them.

Look, I'm not trying to insult you or give you a hard time. We see this all the time here on the forum. Someone feels that they have a good grasp of particular material but their questions make it clear that this is not the case. In such cases, I always feel that it's a good idea for them to go back to the basics.

If you don't want to do that then NascentOxygen has given you enough hints to lead you to the answer for this particular problem and ones similar to it (but possibly not enough to generalize to all such radix number system problems, which is why I suggest going back to the basics).
it will be better if you just have a look..I answered his question...
And by the way ..the doubt is clear by now to me...
 
  • #20
So you are all sorted now? Make up some exercises for yourself as practice, so you don't forget again.

Try this quick one: ##\mathrm {\ \left(523\right)_x\ +\ \left(117\right)_x\ =\ (641)_x}##

Determine x.

Be ambitious, try some with a hexadecimal base.
 
  • #21
NascentOxygen said:
So you are all sorted now? Make up some exercises for yourself as practice, so you don't forget again.

Try this quick one: ##\mathrm {\ \left(523\right)_x\ +\ \left(117\right)_x\ =\ (641)_x}##

Determine x.

Be ambitious, try some with a hexadecimal base.
it'll be 9...
 
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