What is the base of the decimal numbering system?

The decimal numbering system is based on the number 10, which is why option B is the correct answer. This system uses ten different digits to represent numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Each digit's position within a number represents a power of ten, making it efficient for arithmetic and everyday calculations.

The significance of using 10 as the base is reflected in how we group numbers. For instance, when counting reaches ten, we increment the next place value, resulting in the number '10'—which signifies one group of ten and zero units. This cyclic behavior is foundational to the operations we perform in mathematics.

In contrast, the other numbering systems mentioned—octal (base 8), hexadecimal (base 16), and binary (base 2)—each use a different base and set of digits. For instance, the octal system would only include the digits 0-7, while binary would consist solely of 0 and 1. Thus, these systems function differently and are not suitable when defining the decimal system.