Difference between revisions of "Talk:Base numbers"

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We can have base <math>i</math>, base <math>\phi</math>, and improper fractional bases like 3/2. In a rational base, any integer may be represented without a decimal point in that base. For complex and irrational bases, we use (I think) 0 or 1 as digits. For a fractional base p/q with max(p,q)=a, we use 0 up to a-1 for digits, i.e. for 3/2, 0,1,2 are digits; for 1/4, we use 0,1,2,3.  --[[User:Solafidefarms|solafidefarms]] 21:11, 22 June 2006 (EDT)</math>
 
We can have base <math>i</math>, base <math>\phi</math>, and improper fractional bases like 3/2. In a rational base, any integer may be represented without a decimal point in that base. For complex and irrational bases, we use (I think) 0 or 1 as digits. For a fractional base p/q with max(p,q)=a, we use 0 up to a-1 for digits, i.e. for 3/2, 0,1,2 are digits; for 1/4, we use 0,1,2,3.  --[[User:Solafidefarms|solafidefarms]] 21:11, 22 June 2006 (EDT)</math>
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Hmmm..., so how would you represent, say 4 using base 3/2 and digits 0,1, and 2? Also, what would, say, 4 be when written in base <math>i</math> (the latter question is especially interesting, because all possible powers of <math>i</math> are <math>1</math>, <math>i</math>, <math>-1</math>, and <math>-i</math>). Maybe you mean something here but, since even I cannot understand you, there is no hope that 12 year old kids will...--[[User:Fedja|Fedja]] 21:42, 22 June 2006 (EDT)

Revision as of 21:42, 22 June 2006

This is a great start to an article. The early part could use a little white space. Students who really need to learn about base numbers from this article are going to need a mental pause, and multiple examples. A section on conversions would be nice.--MCrawford 00:42, 20 June 2006 (EDT)

Hmmm... What do you mean by base doesn't need to be an integer? Especially suspicious is the idea to use complex bases. What numbers are you going to represent in such bases and what are the digits? In my opinion, this part (at least, as written) is rather confusing than revealing... --Fedja 19:34, 22 June 2006 (EDT)

We can have base $i$, base $\phi$, and improper fractional bases like 3/2. In a rational base, any integer may be represented without a decimal point in that base. For complex and irrational bases, we use (I think) 0 or 1 as digits. For a fractional base p/q with max(p,q)=a, we use 0 up to a-1 for digits, i.e. for 3/2, 0,1,2 are digits; for 1/4, we use 0,1,2,3. --solafidefarms 21:11, 22 June 2006 (EDT)</math>

Hmmm..., so how would you represent, say 4 using base 3/2 and digits 0,1, and 2? Also, what would, say, 4 be when written in base $i$ (the latter question is especially interesting, because all possible powers of $i$ are $1$, $i$, $-1$, and $-i$). Maybe you mean something here but, since even I cannot understand you, there is no hope that 12 year old kids will...--Fedja 21:42, 22 June 2006 (EDT)