[Math] What’s the difference between the terms “Numeral System” and “Number System”

definitionelementary-number-theory

I understand that a "Numeral system" is a way to express numbers.

But what is "Number system"?

What's the difference between this two terms?

Best Answer

A numeral system is a way to express numbers. Base 10 is the most commonly used numeral system, but there is also binary, non-positional notation, and words (e.g "seven million three thousand fifteen").

A number system is a set of numbers as well as certain arithmetic operations we define on them. Commonly used ones include the integers, the rationals (fractions), the reals, the complex numbers. In some cases one number system includes another, but not always.