What digits does the octal numbering system contain?

The octal numbering system is a base-8 system, which means it contains eight digits. These digits range from 0 to 7. This is fundamental to the structure of octal, as it represents all possible values that can be expressed with eight distinct symbols.

In this system, each digit's place value is a power of 8, similar to how the decimal system (base-10) uses powers of 10. The octal system is often used in computing and digital electronics because it maps neatly to binary numbers, making it easier to represent large binary numbers in a more compact form.

Understanding the range of digits in the octal system helps differentiate it from other numbering systems like decimal (which includes 0-9), hexadecimal (which includes 0-15, using letters A-F for values 10-15), and various other bases. By recognizing that the octal system is limited solely to the digits 0 through 7, one can effectively work with octal numbers in various applications.