Octal Representation of Numbers

Numbers is a vast subject but not a very tough topic in mathematics to understand. The vastness is because of the deductive skills of scholars and different representation of the same number to increase the security of the same. Octal Numbers is one such type of representation of number like the other representations like decimal, binary, etc. The word Octal or octa number system refers to the number eight and in Octal Number System the number is supported with the base 8. Octals are very similar to the decimal number other than in decimal we have 0 – 9 and in this we have 0 – 7.

It is not a very big task to convert decimal to octa number system or from this to decimal number. The Decimal to Octal Conversion can be understood through an example. But before going to an example let us get to know the steps to be followed while converting the decimal to octa number system.

The following are the steps used for the conversion: One should know the division and multiplication of numbers well so that he / she can solve the problem in ease. The decimal number should be written. The number should be divided by 8.

The quotient of the number should be written below. The remainder of the number after dividing has to be written on the right end. The number written below has to be further divided by 8. This division process has to be done until the number that is the remainder is less than the octa number system digits.

The process is completed once the above steps are followed. The answer has to be written now. The answer can be found by writing the numbers that is the remainder starting from the final remainder bottom to top. The answer should be written with subscript 8 to avoid confusion. Before going to an example for further explanation we should know the Octal Table which represents the octa number system in a table form with the corresponding decimal number for them.

This representation helps in the conversion of octa number system to decimal and the conversion of decimal to octa number system.

Let us consider the following example for understanding the conversion of decimal to octa number system.
Convert 9910 to octa number system: 99 / 8 = 12 with a remainder 3, 12 / 8 = 1 with a remainder 4, the answer for the question which is given will be: 9910 = 1438.