Week 1 - zacharylongo/Tech-Journals GitHub Wiki

Number systems article summary: The article explains that the way we count and write our numbers has extra depth to it. Rather than simply being a placeholder, the numbers we write have relationships with the other digits forming said number. Depending on the placement of these digits the number changes value. In the number 123, the one does not represent one but instead represents a value one-hundred times larger than that of its face value. This principle is center to how both binary and hexadecimal notations function. Octal, Binary, and other number systems rely on unique multiplicative properties in order to notate values in their distinct ways.

Hexadecimal notation article summary: Hexadecimal notation utilizes the numbers “1” through “9” and the letters “A” through “F” to represent values. The numbers all represent their face value, while “A” through “F” represent “10” through “15”. Capitalization does not affect the values in hexadecimal notation. Like most other notations, hex can be converted into binary. In order to convert hex into binary, one must convert each digit into the corresponding 4-digit string in binary. Converting from binary to hex is essentially the same process unless the number of digits is not a multiple of 4. In that case, the left-most group should have zeros added to it to match the other number in the grouping. Signed and Unsigned numbers summary: The article first details what a computer “Word” is. The article defines a computer “Word” as: “a unit of data with a defined bit length that a CPU can process at one go”. In other words, a computer “Word” is the maximum amount of information a computer can process in an individual operation. These lines are filled with digits commonly referred to as bits. A 32-bit word would have 32 digits while a 64-bit word would have exactly double that. Within these lines, the first and last bit are referred to as the “most significant bit” and the “least significant bit”.??? Note- Because of my AP courses I already understand the principles explained in the article. However, the way the material is worded has left me confused and unable to summarize what I have read.

Video Summary: The video starts off with an explanation of the base 10 system and positional notation. In short, the base 10 system is the system we use in everyday life to articulate values. Positional notation is the process we use to assign values larger than the face value of a given digit based on its decimal place in each number. The video then goes on to explain the binary system. The binary system is remarkably like the base 10 system but instead of each digit being 10 times that of the one before it, each digit is two times that of the one before it. Next, the video details how shortened URL’s work. Shortened URL’s function based on alphanumeric notation in order to condense large numbers.