Uphawu lwenani lwenziwe ngezi-digits zilishumi. Indawo ekuyo idigit nganye ibonisa ubukhulu nobuncinane benani. Umzekelo, inani elingama-23 kwi-decimal number system, eyonanto liyithethayo yile (u-2 xa ephindwa-phindwe kali-10) ize kuthi kwelo nani liphumileyo songeze inani elingu-3, kananjalo inani elingu-101 lithetha ukuthi inani elingu-1 xa liphinda-phindwe kalikhulu kuzakuphuma u- (=100) songeze u-0 esiyakumphindaphinda nge-10 kutsho kuphume u (=0) kongezwe u-1 ozakuphindwaphindwa ka-1 kutsho kuphume u-(=1).