A numerical digit (often shortened to just digit) or numeral is a single symbol used alone (such as "1") or in combinations (such as "15"), to represent numbers in a positional numeral system. The name "digit" comes from the fact that the ten digits (Latin digiti meaning fingers)[1] of the hands correspond to the ten symbols of the common base 10 numeral system, i.e. the decimal (ancient Latin adjective decem meaning ten)[2] digits.
For a given numeral system with an integer base, the number of different digits required is given by the absolute value of the base. For example, the decimal system (base 10) requires ten digits (0 to 9), whereas the binary system (base 2) requires two digits (0 and 1).
- ^ ""Digit" Origin". dictionary.com. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
- ^ ""Decimal" Origin". dictionary.com. Retrieved 23 May 2015.