Chapter 3: Knowing as Little as Possible about Math
In This Chapter
Getting to know other number systems
Figuring out the differences between bits and bytes
Converting values between number systems
You might be wondering, “Why do I need to read about numbers? I learned them from zero to ten in kindergarten, so what more do I need to know?” Well, mathematicians might just disagree with you. But in this case, you encounter many types of numbers while working with computers and network devices. In this chapter, I give you a primer on those numbers.
You are probably used to the Base 10 (decimal) number system, which has the ten numerals you are familiar with in it (0–9). This chapter introduces you to the limited Base 2 (binary), the Base 8 (octal), and the larger Base 16 (hexadecimal). With the familiar Base 10 number system having 10 numerals, you may already be thinking that the Base 2 number system only has two numerals; if that is the case, then you are correct. The two numerals in the Base 2 system are zero and one; while the eight numerals in the Base 8 system are zero to seven and the Base 16 number system has sixteen numerals. Wait, how do you get sixteen numerals? With the ...
