Final answer:
The term that describes the use of four binary digits to represent one decimal digit is called Binary-Coded Decimal (BCD), which is important in digital systems for numerical display and arithmetic operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes the use of four binary digits to represent one decimal digit is called Binary-Coded Decimal (BCD). In BCD, each decimal digit is represented by its equivalent four-bit binary sequence. For example, the decimal number 9 is represented in binary as 1001. BCD is commonly used in digital systems where a numerical display is required and is also useful for arithmetic operations.
While regular binary representation can compactly store numbers, BCD ensures that each digit in a decimal number is individually represented in binary form. This can make reading and debugging hardware systems easier, as each digit corresponds directly to its binary equivalent. However, this also means BCD is less space-efficient than purely binary systems.
Understanding how BCD works can be linked to the concept of significant figures which represent the limits of values we are confident about. For instance, when reporting measurements, trailing zeros and the last significant digit can be important indicators of precision, similar to BCD where each decimal digit is significant as it translates to a distinct four-bit binary code.