Define database, list three business uses, state five advantages over paper systems, and list five DBMS functions.

Here are the solutions to the questions: Question 17 a) i) Define Database A database is an organized collection of structured information or data, typically stored electronically in a computer system, designed for efficient storage, retrieval, and management of data. a) ii) Give three areas where databases may be used in business Customer Relationship Management (CRM):* To store and manage customer details, purchase history, and interactions. Inventory Management:* To track stock levels, product information, and supplier data. Financial Accounting:* To manage transactions, ledgers, and financial records. b) i) State five advantages that modern database systems have over paper-based systems Reduced Data Redundancy:* Data is stored once, minimizing duplication and inconsistencies. Improved Data Consistency:* Enforces rules and constraints to ensure data accuracy across the system. Enhanced Data Security:* Provides mechanisms for access control, encryption, and backup/recovery. Faster Data Retrieval:* Allows quick and efficient searching, sorting, and querying of large datasets. Better Data Sharing:* Multiple users can access and update data concurrently, facilitating collaboration. b) ii) STATE five major functions of DBMS in computerized information processing Data Definition:* Allows users to define the structure of the database, including data types, relationships, and constraints. Data Manipulation:* Provides tools for inserting, updating, deleting, and retrieving data (e.g., using SQL). Data Security and Integrity:* Manages user access, permissions, and ensures data accuracy and consistency through validation rules. Data Storage Management:* Handles the physical storage of data on disk and manages access to it. Data Backup and Recovery:* Provides utilities to create backups and restore the database in case of system failure or data loss. Question 18 a) Describe the octal number system. The octal number system is a base-8 number system that uses eight distinct digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Each position in an octal number represents a power of 8. It is often used as a compact way to represent binary numbers, as three binary digits can be represented by a single octal digit. b) Convert each of the following to the number system indicated: i) 111.101_2 to decimal To convert 111.101_2 to decimal: 1 × 2^2 + 1 × 2^1 + 1 × 2^0 + 1 × 2^-1 + 0 × 2^-2 + 1 × 2^-3 = 1 × 4 + 1 × 2 + 1 × 1 + 1 × 0.5 + 0 × 0.25 + 1 × 0.125 = 4 + 2 + 1 + 0.5 + 0 + 0.125 = 7 + 0.625 = 7.625_10 The decimal equivalent is 7.625. ii) 14.6875_10 to binary Convert the integer part (14_10): 14 ÷ 2 = 7 remainder 0 7 ÷ 2 = 3 remainder 1 3 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 1 1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1 Reading remainders upwards: 1110_2 Convert the fractional part (0.6875_10): 0.6875 × 2 = 1.375 → 1 0.375 × 2 = 0.75 → 0 0.75 × 2 = 1.5 → 1 0.5 × 2 = 1.0 → 1 Reading integer parts downwards: 0.1011_2 Combining both parts: 1110.1011_2 The binary equivalent is 1110.1011. c) Convert the number -17_10 into 8-bit signed magnitude representation Step 1: Convert the magnitude 17_10 to binary. 17 ÷ 2 = 8 R 1 8 ÷ 2 = 4 R 0 4 ÷ 2 = 2 R 0 2 ÷ 2 = 1 R 0 1 ÷ 2 = 0 R 1 So, 17_10 = 10001_2. Step 2: Represent the magnitude in 7 bits (since 1 bit is for the sign). 0010001_2 Step 3: For a negative number in signed magnitude, the most significant bit (MSB) is 1. The 8-bit signed magnitude representation for -17_10 is 10010001_2. The 8-bit signed magnitude representation is 10010001.