Limits
The largest
number
which
the
PC-3
can
handle
is
ten
significant digits, with two-digit
exponents.
In
other
words,
the
largest
number
is:
9.999999999
IE
99
and
the
smallest
number
is:
9999999999000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000
9.999999999
IE
-99
=
.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000009999999999
Under
certain
circumstances,
when
numbers
will be used
frequently,
the
PC-3
uses a special
compact
form.
In
these cases
there
are
special limits imposed
on
the
size
of
numbers,
usually
either
0
to
65535
or
-32768
to
+32767. Those
with
some
computer
back-
ground
will recognize
both
these
numbers
as
the
largest range which can be represented
in
16
binary bits. The circumstances
under
which
this
form
is
used are
noted
in
Chapter
8.
Hexadecimal Numbers
The
decimal
system
is
only
one
of
many
different
systems
to
represent numbers.
Another
which has
become
quite
important
when
using
computers
is
the
hexadecimal
system.
The hexadecimal system
is
based
on
16
instead
of
10.
To
write hexadecimal numbers,
you
use
the
familiar 0
~
9 and 6
more
"digits":
A, S, C, D, E, and F. These
correspond
to
10, 11, 12, 13,
14,
and 15. When
43
To Next Page
Loading...
