BASE ONE Meaning and
Definition
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Base one, also known as unary numeral system, is a numeral system with a base of one. It is the simplest and least efficient numeral system, where only the digit 1 is used to represent all numbers. In base one, counting progresses by repeating the same representation of the digit 1, leading to lengthy representations of numbers.
In base one, each digit position represents a power of one. For instance, the rightmost digit represents the value of 1 raised to the power of zero, which is 1. The digit to the left represents the value of 1 raised to the power of one, which is 1 squared, or 1. The next digit to the left represents the value of 1 raised to the power of two, which is 1 cubed, or 1. This pattern continues, and each position contributes a value of 1 to the overall number.
As base one only has one digit, expressing larger numbers requires a substantial number of digits. For example, the number 10 in base one would be represented by ten consecutive 1s. Consequently, performing arithmetic operations in base one can become cumbersome and time-consuming, as digit duplication is necessary for calculations.
Base one is primarily used for theoretical discussions and occasionally in computing algorithms for its simplicity. In practical applications, more efficient numeral systems with larger bases, such as base ten (the decimal system) or base two (binary system), are widely adopted due to their ability to represent numbers concisely and perform calculations more easily.
Etymology of BASE ONE
The term "base one" does not have an established etymology as a word or phrase by itself. However, "base" and "one" can have separate origins:
- Base: The word "base" ultimately derives from the Latin word "basis", meaning foundation or support. It entered English through Old French, where it referred to the lowest part or bottom of something. Later on, "base" also took on additional meanings related to morals, principles, or foundations of societies, giving rise to concepts like military bases or bases in mathematics.
- One: The word "one" originated from the Old English word "ān", which can be traced back to Proto-Germanic. This term referred to the numeral 1 or meant "alone" or "united" in the sense of being the singular or first in a series.
Idioms with the word BASE ONE
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base one's opinion on sth
To base one's opinion on something means to form an opinion or judgment based on that particular thing or information. It suggests using a specific factor as the primary consideration or reasoning behind one's viewpoint.
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base one's opinion on something
To base one's opinion on something means to form a belief or judgment about something based on that specific thing, rather than on general assumptions or biases.
