signed number: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “signed number” mean?
A number that incorporates a positive (+) or negative (-) sign to indicate its position relative to zero on the number line.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A number that incorporates a positive (+) or negative (-) sign to indicate its position relative to zero on the number line.
In computing, a binary number representation that reserves one bit to denote the sign (positive/negative) of the value, affecting the range of representable numbers compared to unsigned representations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The conceptual teaching and notation are identical.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “signed number” in a Sentence
The processor handles [signed number] efficiently.The variable was declared as a [signed number].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “signed number” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The tutorial explained how signed numbers extend the concept of counting.
- In two's complement, the most significant bit acts as the sign bit for the signed number.
American English
- The algorithm requires the input to be a signed number.
- A 32-bit signed number can represent values from -2^31 to 2^31-1.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific financial modelling software contexts where calculations involve deficits or negative growth.
Academic
Core concept in secondary school mathematics (algebra), undergraduate computer science (data representation), and engineering.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation; replaced by phrases like 'negative five' or 'below zero'.
Technical
Fundamental in programming, digital circuit design, and numerical analysis when defining variable types (e.g., signed int, signed char).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “signed number”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “signed number”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “signed number”
- Using 'signed number' to refer to a physically autographed numeral (e.g., on a sports memorabilia).
- Confusing 'signed' with 'sin' (trigonometric function) in speech.
- In programming, assuming all numeric variables are signed by default (they often are not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, zero is typically considered a signed number, though its sign is often treated as positive or undefined, as it represents the absence of magnitude in either direction.
A signed number can represent positive, negative, and zero values. An unsigned number can only represent non-negative values (zero and positive). For the same number of bits, an unsigned type has a larger positive range but cannot represent negatives.
They allow variables to represent real-world quantities that can be less than zero, such as temperatures, financial losses, or changes in position. Using the appropriate type (signed/unsigned) is crucial for correct program logic and efficient memory use.
In common systems like 'two's complement', the most significant bit (MSB) is reserved as the sign bit. A 0 often denotes a positive (or zero) number, and a 1 denotes a negative number. The remaining bits represent the magnitude.
A number that incorporates a positive (+) or negative (-) sign to indicate its position relative to zero on the number line.
Signed number is usually technical / academic in register.
Signed number: in British English it is pronounced /saɪnd ˈnʌm.bər/, and in American English it is pronounced /saɪnd ˈnʌm.bɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a number line. Zero is the 'signing' point. Numbers to the right get a '+', numbers to the left get a '-'. The sign shows the direction from zero.
Conceptual Metaphor
NUMBERS ARE LOCATIONS ON A PATH (with zero as the central reference point; the sign indicates direction).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a signed number representation in computing?