What is the primary base of the decimal notation system?

The decimal notation system is fundamentally based on base 10. This system uses ten symbols (0 through 9) to represent numbers. Each digit's position represents a power of ten, which is why it is called "decimal," derived from the Latin word "decimus," meaning ten. In this system, for example, the number 345 is understood as (3 × 10^2) + (4 × 10^1) + (5 × 10^0).

Understanding this base is crucial in a variety of fields, including mathematics, finance, and everyday counting, where the decimal system is utilized for most calculations and representations of numerical values. Other bases, such as base 2 (used in binary systems), base 8 (octal), and base 16 (hexadecimal), serve specific applications but are not the standard for general counting or arithmetic, which is why base 10 is recognized as the primary base of the decimal notation system.