Digital Design_ Principles and Practices, Chegg Solution Manual_parte_025

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Step 1 of 2 2.020E Most of the people believe that we use base 10 since we have 10 fingers. Assuming this let us say that Martians have n fingers and thus use a base n number system. Consider the following equation found from the Martian mathematics: Consider the following solutions for the equation: x=5andx=8 Convert this equation into base b which yields the following equation: Substitute 5 for X in the equation. (n-13)(n-10)=0 Note that it is not possible to have since in base 10, the other solution x=8 should not be a solution. Hence Step 2 of 2 Martians must have 13 fingers. Indeed this makes sense because if 50 and 125 are in base 13. Convert them to base 10. So, the following is the resulting equation: (x-5)(x-8)=0 Here x=8 is a justified solution; therefore, the Martians had 13 fingers.