Definition

1. Noun:
   • A positional numeral system using base eight: The octal numeration system is a method of representing numbers using only eight distinct symbols (typically 0 through 7). Each digit's value depends on its position, with each place representing a successive power of eight.

Usage

• The octal numeration system is primarily used in computing contexts, especially in systems where a grouping of three binary digits (bits) is convenient, as eight corresponds to 2³.
• It is a less common base system compared to the ubiquitous decimal (base-10) or the computing-standard hexadecimal (base-16) systems.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In the octal numeration system, the decimal number 10 is written as 12.
  • Early computer systems sometimes displayed memory addresses using the octal numeration system.
  • Converting from binary to the octal numeration system is straightforward because three binary digits map directly to one octal digit.

Advanced Usage

• "Octal notation": Often used synonymously with "octal numeration system" to refer to the symbolic representation itself.
  • The permission settings in Unix-like operating systems are frequently expressed in octal notation.

Variants and Related Words

• Octal (adj): Pertaining to or using the base-eight system.
  • An octal number.
• Octal digit (n): Any of the eight symbols (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) used in this system.
• Base-8 system: Another term for the octal numeration system.

Synonyms

• Base-8 system: A direct synonym describing the system by its radix.
• Octal system: A common shortened form.

Related Phrases

• Octal representation: The specific form a number takes when written in the octal system.
  • Find the octal representation of the decimal value 64.

Noun

1. a positional system of numeration that uses octal digits and a radix of eight