Explain the concept of numerals in computer programming.

In computer programming, numerals refer to the representation of numbers using a specific set of symbols or characters. These symbols or characters are used to express numerical values and perform mathematical operations within a computer program.

There are different numeral systems used in computer programming, with the most common ones being the decimal system (base-10), binary system (base-2), octal system (base-8), and hexadecimal system (base-16). Each numeral system has its own set of symbols or digits to represent numbers.

In the decimal system, which is the most familiar to humans, numbers are represented using ten digits from 0 to 9. For example, the numeral "123" represents the number one hundred twenty-three.

The binary system, on the other hand, uses only two digits, 0 and 1. It is widely used in computer systems as they are based on electronic circuits that can represent two states, typically represented as 0 and 1. For example, the binary numeral "1010" represents the decimal number ten.

The octal system uses eight digits from 0 to 7. It is less commonly used in modern computer programming but can still be found in some specific applications. For example, the octal numeral "17" represents the decimal number fifteen.

The hexadecimal system uses sixteen digits, combining the decimal digits 0-9 with the letters A-F to represent values from 0 to 15. It is commonly used in computer programming, especially when dealing with memory addresses and binary data. For example, the hexadecimal numeral "1F" represents the decimal number thirty-one.

In addition to the numeral systems, computer programming languages also provide various ways to represent and manipulate numbers. These include integer types (representing whole numbers), floating-point types (representing real numbers with decimal points), and other specialized types for specific purposes.

Furthermore, computer programming languages often provide built-in functions and operators to perform arithmetic operations on numerals, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These operations can be used to manipulate numerical data and solve mathematical problems within a computer program.

Overall, the concept of numerals in computer programming is essential for representing and manipulating numerical values, allowing programmers to perform calculations and solve mathematical problems efficiently.