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Remember, that the power, or exponent, indicates the number of times the base is multiplied by
itself. The value of this multiplication is expressed in base 10 as shown below:
All numbers to the left of the radix point are whole numbers, and those to the right are fractional
numbers.
MSD and LSD
When determining the most and least significant digits in an octal number, use the same rules that
you used with the other number systems. The digit farthest to the left of the radix point is the MSD, and
the one farthest right of the radix point is the LSD.
Example:
If the number is a whole number, the MSD is the nonzero digit farthest to the left of the radix point
and the LSD is the digit immediately to the left of the radix point. Conversely, if the number is a fraction
only, the nonzero digit closest to the radix point is the MSD and the LSD is the nonzero digit farthest to
the right of the radix point.
Addition of Octal Numbers
The addition of octal numbers is not difficult provided you remember that anytime the sum of two
digits exceeds 7, a carry is produced. Compare the two examples shown below:
