Chapter 2 Numbers in Fixed-point Format

DOI: 10.1201/9781003363286-2

2.1 Unsigned Numbers

Performing arithmetic operations requires defining the understanding of the value of a number encoded in a bit word. Let's start with non-negative numbers at a beginning for ensuring clarity and simplicity of the information to be collected. Any A number is written using n digits in the integer part, and m digits in the fractional part according to the following format (Figure 2.1).

An image shows a fixed-point format of number which displays A equals a tape diagram with 10 boxes. The boxes includes: an-1, an-2, …, a1, a0, ., a-1, a-2, …, a-m. The first 5 boxes are mentioned as integer, 6th box is mentioned as dot/ point, and the last 4 boxes are mentioned as fraction.

Figure 2.1 A fixed-point format of number.

The point separates the integer part from the fractional part, i.e. the digits a0 and a–1. The term ‘positional’ means that the ...

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