What is Radix? Definition, Examples, and Significance in Number Systems

Radix is a term used in computer science and mathematics to refer to the base or origin of a number system. It is the number of distinct symbols or digits that are used to represent numbers in a given system.

For example, in the decimal (base 10) system, the radix is 10, because there are 10 distinct digits (0 through 9) that are used to represent numbers. In the binary (base 2) system, the radix is 2, because there are only two distinct digits (0 and 1) that are used to represent numbers.

The radix of a number system determines the number of possible values that can be represented in that system, as well as the size of the integers that can be represented. For example, in the decimal system, there are 10 possible values for each digit (0 through 9), so the largest integer that can be represented is 999,999,999. In the binary system, there are only two possible values for each digit (0 and 1), so the largest integer that can be represented is 111,111,111.

In summary, radix is a term used to describe the base or origin of a number system, and it determines the number of distinct symbols or digits that are used to represent numbers in that system.