Ternary numeral system facts for kids

A ternary numeral system is a special way of counting. It uses the number three as its base. This means that in a ternary system, you only use three different digits: 0, 1, and 2. It's a bit like how our everyday number system (called decimal or base 10) uses ten digits (0 to 9).

What is a Ternary System?

The word "ternary" comes from the Latin word "ternarius," meaning "of three." So, a ternary system is simply a "base 3" system. Instead of counting in tens, you count in threes.

How Does Ternary Counting Work?

Let's look at how numbers are written in ternary.

• The first few numbers are 0, 1, and 2.
• Once you reach 2, you run out of digits for that spot.
• So, just like in our system where 9 + 1 becomes 10, in ternary, 2 + 1 becomes 10.
• This "10" in ternary is actually the number three in our regular system.
• The first ten numbers in ternary are: 0, 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 100.
• When all the digits in a number reach 2, you add a 1 in front and change all the other digits back to 0. For example, after 22, the next number is 100.

Balanced Ternary: A Special Type

There is another type of ternary system called the balanced ternary system. This system is unique because its digits are -1, 0, and 1. The number 0 is right in the middle of the other two digits. This balanced system is sometimes used in logic and in special types of computers. It can be very useful for making comparisons.

Trits: Ternary Digits

In the binary system (base 2), each digit is called a "bit." Similarly, in the ternary system, each digit is called a trit. A trit can hold one of three values: 0, 1, or 2.

Related pages

• Octal
• Duodecimal
• Hexadecimal

See also

In Spanish: Sistema ternario para niños