The Decimal Number System The Origin and Definition The number system that we use every day is called the decimal system. The prefix in the word decimal is a Latin root for the word “ten.” The decimal system probably had its origin in the fact that we have ten fingers (or digits). The decimal system has ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It is a base 10 system and has been in use..